258 Pearls, 



to each valve. That the animal should survive the 

 introduction of so many irritating bodies, and in 

 such a brief period secrete a covering of nacre over 

 them all, is certainly a striking physiological fact. 

 Some naturalists, indeed, have expressed strong 

 doubts as to its possibility, supposing the Pearls 

 were made to adhere to the shell by some, compo- 

 sition ; but the examination of living specimens in 

 different stages of growth, having both valves studded 

 with Pearls, has fully demonstrated its truth. A 

 tinge of yellow is found over the whole inner surface 

 of some shells, shewing that the more recent secre- 

 tion of nacre by the suffering animal was unnatural ; 

 the flesh of all, however, is eaten. 



Above five thousand families are represented 

 as being engaged in this singular branch of industry 

 in the villages of Chung-kwan and Siau-chang- 

 ngan ; they, however, mainly derive their support 

 from cultivating the mulberry, and in rearing silk- 

 worms, and other agricultural occupations. Those 

 who are not expert in the management of the shells 

 lose ten to fifteen per cent, by deaths ; others lose 

 none in a whole season. 



The invention is attributed by the villagers to 

 a native of the place, ancestor of many of them, 

 named Yu Shun-yang, to whom a temple has been 

 erected, in which divine honours are paid to his 



