MOLLUSCA. 



A Fleet of clyster Bouts 



The Pearl Oyster, is the mollusc, from which pearls are extracted. The pearl is nothing else than the 

 uacrc, which lines the inner surface of the shell, deposited in globular drops. This shell-lining is aptly 

 named "mother of pearl." These oysters are found in both the Old and New Worlds. Ceylon is especi- 

 ally famous for its pearl fisheries. The fishers are trained to remain long under water, and when descending 



to the bottom tie a heavy weight to their feet. They 

 rapidly gather into a basket all the oysters near by, and 

 when needing air, £nve a°sisrnal to their friends, who draw 

 them to the surface by a rope. The oysters are then 

 left, for some weeks, to putrefy, when they are washed, 

 and the pearls extracted. The Chinese have a mode of 

 forcing oysters and mussels to form pearls by placing 

 beads in their shells, round which a layer of nacre is 

 deposited, and a pearl produced. 





Pearl Fishers. 



Cuttle. Fish. 



Teuil Oyster 



air 



