XI. 



either for those engaged in the trade, or for such of 

 the public as may desire to acquire a knowledge of the 

 history, formation and uses of Pearl and Pearl-shell. 



It may be useful here to give a brief explanation 

 of the general arrangement of the book. After a 

 short introductory chapter, the subject of Pearls is 

 discussed historically, and reference made to the use 

 of Pearls by the principal nations of antiquity. 



The historical chapter is followed by one in 

 which I have sought to give a fair notion of the 

 views of ancient writers on the origin and virtues 

 of Pearls. The fanciful theories which were current 

 in pre-scientific ages — some of which are not quite 

 exploded at the present day — I hope will be found 

 to furnish many subjects of interest. Not only the 

 occult virtues of the Pearl, but its reputed medical 

 properties claim consideration ; while the curious 

 notion, still current in certain quarters, as to the 

 self-generation of Pearls, is too strange a subject 

 to be passed over, and hence a section is devoted 

 to the so-called " Breeding Pearls." 



Having thus described most of the fallacies and 

 fancies connected with Pearls, I proceed to treat 

 the subject from a natural-history point of view. 

 The various Pearl-bearing Molluscs, both marine and 



