6o Peai'is. 



kinds, according to the preponderance of one, two, 

 or all of their three vital properties — air, bile, and 

 cold : consequently there are several kinds of Pearls 

 in this class. 



Pearls which originate in the crest of Serpents, 

 are beautifully round, and are enbosomed in a blue 

 halo of surpassing glory, like the flash of a polished 

 sword. These, persons void of merit are denied the 

 privilege of even looking at ; the serpents who bear 

 them are the descendants of Vasuki, sovereign of 

 the snakes, are not born everywhere, and are rarely 

 seen by men in some sacred ground. These Pearls 

 are divided into four classes, called after the names 

 of the principal castes, while as regards their great 

 value, we are told that, " The power which is attained 

 by virtuous people, through the possession of innu- 

 merable gems and great wealth, through ordinary 

 prosperity or through regal good fortune, is obtained 

 by wearing one serpent-begotten Pearl. " 



The Pearls which originate in water-drops 

 falling upon Oysters when the sun rests upon the 

 Swati star, are flawless and bright, and i i size are 

 in strict concomitance with the size of the water- 

 drops. In one particular oyster, which is very rare, 

 thre fearjs are white, transparent, ^nd large as 



