On the Economical Uses of some species of Testacea. 61 



Besides being used as an ornament, pearls were formerly in high 

 estimation as a medicine, and given in cordial potions ; but as they 

 ■differ in no respect from any other calcareous earth, they have been 

 long neglected, and are now, we believe, never administered.* The 

 ladies, however, still use a cosmetic under the name of pearl pow- 

 -der, but which is, notwithstanding, understood to be metallic. 



The most remarkable pearls of modern times are, one which was 

 in the possession of Philip II, in 1574, as large as a pigeon's egg ; 

 one mentioned by Tavernier in the hands of the Emperor of Persia 

 in 1633, and which was purchased of an Arab for the extraordinary 

 sum of £110,400 ; and that of the Emperor Rudolph, mentioned 

 by Boetius, called La Peregrina, of the shape of a pear, weighing 

 thirty carats. f In Europe, in common with all jewels, they are sold 

 by the carat. In Asia, the weight differs in different states. At 

 Bombay and Madras pearls are valued by two kinds of weights, real 

 and nominal ; by the former they are weighed, by the latter sold.| 

 In the former country, pearls of a " white water" are most sought 

 after, but the Indians and Arabs prefer those of a "yellow water." |( 



Artificial pearls, of which the Romans appear to have been igno- 

 rant, are made of thin glass beads lined with the scales of, or a white 

 powder from the belly of the Bleak, [Cyprinus Alhurnus, Linn.) 

 and filled with wax. To obtain a pound of scales, four thousand 

 fish are necessary, and these do not produce four ounces of the es- 

 sence d'orient, as the perlaceous substance is termed. At St. John 

 de Maizel in the Challonnois is a manufactory in which ten thousand 

 pearls are made daily. H From the facility and accuracy with which 

 these are manufactured, the price of the real article in modern times 

 has much declined. A handsome necklace of Ceylon pearls smaller 

 than a pea, costs from seven hundred and fifty to thirteen hundred 

 and fifty dollars ; but one of pearls about the size of peppercorns 

 may be had for about sixty five dollars ; the pearls in the former sell- 

 ing at five dollars each ; those of the latter at thirty seven cents. 



The importation of mother of pearl shells in England in 1832, 

 amounted to seven hundred twenty one thousand five hundred and 

 twenty seven pounds weight.** 



* Hooper's Med. Die. Art. Margarita. t Chalmers, Art. Pearl, 



t Kelly's Univ. Cambist. Vol. I. pp. 92, 95. 



II Rees' CyclopcEdia, Art. Pearl. 



IT Beekman, II. 16. ** McCulloch, Art. Peari,, 



