254 Gleanings from the 



The oftrea edulis, although pearls are found in it, 

 was in Roman times, as in ours, far more celebrated 

 at feafls. It may be faid to have its capital in 

 Britain (fays ProfefTor E. Forbes), although it is 

 found elfewhere on the coafts of Europe. It has 

 always been efteemed beft from the beds off Kent. 

 In Roman times, an epicure could diftinguifh the 

 Britifh oyfters at once : 



" Circeis nata forent an 

 Lucrinum ad faxum, Rutupinove edita fundo 

 Oftrea, callebat primo deprenderc morfu ;" L 



juft as anyone can at prefent tell a native from the 

 huge coarfe oyfter of Cleethorpes. 



The Romans knew of, and prized our Britim 

 pearls. Indeed, Suetonius intimates that they 

 formed the chief inducement to Casfar to invade 

 Britain. Pliny characterizes them fairly, as being 

 fmall and poorly coloured; and he knew them 

 well, as the breaftplate which Julius Casfar 

 dedicated to Venus Genetrix at Rome was com- 

 pofed of them. Thofe rivers, with us, which 

 flow from mountains generally contain the pearl- 

 fhells. The Efk and Conway are famous for them. 

 A Conway pearl is faid to be inferted in the royal 

 crown of England. The Irt, in Cumberland, alfo 

 produces pearls ; but the moft famous of our pearl- 

 bearing rivers, in ancient as in modern times, was 

 undoubtedly the Tay. We have examined many 

 which were found in this river in recent years. 

 They are all wanting in brilliancy are not orient, 

 in fhort. The beft have a (lightly pink tinge. 



1 Juv., iv. 140. 



