150 History of Nature. [BooK IX. 



Play : so many different Colours, such diversity of Forms : 

 flat, hollow, long, moon-shaped, rounded into a Globe, cut 

 into half a Globe, rising up on the Back, smooth, rough, 

 toothed, ridged, the Top bent into a Wreath, the Border 

 projecting into a Point, spread out externally, rolled back 

 within : then, again, with distinct Bands, hairy, curled, 

 channelled, formed like a Comb, waved with Plaits like 

 Tiles, having Cells like Network, spread out straight, or 

 oblique ; some are thickly compact, others stretched forth, 

 or crooked; bound round into a short Knot, all their Sides 

 united together : some open, adapted to give a Clap; others 

 curved on themselves, like a Cornet. Of all these Sorts, the 

 Venerise swim on the Water, and expose their hollow Part 

 to gather the Wind : by which they sail upon the Surface of 

 the Ocean. The Pectens skip, and fly out of the Water ; 

 they also make a Boat of themselves. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

 Of the Riches of the Sea. 



BUT why do I recount these small Matters, when the 

 Degeneracy of Manners and Luxury proceedeth not from 

 any other Thing so much as from these Shell-fishes? For 

 now, of all the Things in Nature, nothing is so destructive as 

 the Sea, in so many Fashions, such Variety of Tables, such 

 different Tastes in Fishes ; which bear a Price according to 

 the Danger of obtaining them. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

 Of Pearls ; how and where they are found. 



BUT what is this to those who consider the Purpurse, 1 

 Conchylise, and Pearls ? It was, therefore, but a little Matter 

 to bring the Seas into the Throat, unless Men and Women 

 might carry them about on their Hands, and Ears, Head, 

 and all over the Body. What hath the Sea to do with 



1 See Chap, xxxvi. 



