Pistribntioi of Ptuv/s aud l\-,ii l-slwll 97 



In the "Tribute of Yii " (Shoo \\\w^, pt. iii., hk. i ).'" 

 we find it stated that Yii received as tribute, " oyster- 

 pearls and fish " and " baskets full of deep a/urc silks," 

 from the wild tribes about the river Hwae (or llwai), 

 between the lb) and Kean^ ri\ers [Kiangsu, I*'. China] ; 

 and from the district of Kini;-chow he received "strings of 

 pearls that were not cjuite round," together with "baskets 

 filled with (lce[:) azure and purple silken fabrics."" 



Tliough seemingly acquainted with the local fresh- 

 water pearls at a very early period, it would appear that 

 the marine pearl was unknown to the Chinese until about 

 400 B.C., when commercial intercourse between China and 

 the west had become full)' established. 



.According to Lacoui)erie,''' to whom we are indebtetl 

 for much valuable information concerm'ng the pearl-trade 

 in China, traders from the Indian Ocean (Erythrean Sea) 

 arrived in the Gulf of Kiao-tchou (South Shantung) in 

 the 7th century H.c. Thc\- established two colonies at 

 this place and entered into trade relations witii cities in 

 Shantung. Shansi, Shensi, Kiangsu, llonan, and other 

 states. Though pearls are not mentioned among the 

 objects they introduced at this period, it is not a little 

 curious to find that their sphere of influence coincides in 

 a remarkable manner with the area where pearls are said 

 to have been first known in China. This fact is significant 

 and would .seem to suggest that it was through the 

 influence of these traders that the Chine.se commenced to 



"•^ See translation by Dr. janiLS Legge, in " Tlie Cliinesc Cla.s.sics,*' 

 1865, vol. iii., j)t. i., PI). 107 and I 10. 



•" We have no means of us-j-rluiniiit; tiie source oi the purple cilour 

 of the .silks used as tribute, but llie point is of interest in connection with ihe 

 celebrated purple of the ancient Tyrians. Is it possible that this famous dye 

 had been introduced already inUj ('hina.-' 



"^ Lacouperie, op. at. 



