2^6 Pearls. 



and present so ungraceful a form, as to preclude their 

 use for personal adornment. This may be accounted 

 for in the following manner. The Pearl in the 

 course of formation, is twisted into various forms 

 by the efforts made by the mollusc to unroll itself 

 to get out of its spiral shell. The fish naturally 

 often changes its position, and the disturbed Pearl 

 becomes ill-shapen. When a pink Pearl is found 

 perfectly round, it is rriost likely due to the mollusc 

 having been less energetic than most of its species. 

 It is not generally known what difficulty is expe- 

 rienced in getting the great conch out of its shell, 

 but it is affirmed upon reliable authority that the 

 shells have to be placed in a certain hanging position, 

 with a weight attached to the mollusc. Some time 

 elapses before the fish is drawn out, and often by 

 this means the Pearl is entirely lost. The conch, 

 although the commonest, is not the only shell that 

 produces Pearls of a rosy tint. For instance, a 

 specimen in the British Museum shews a fine pink 

 Pearl attached to the Turbinella scolymus^ a porcel- 

 lanous univalve shell. (See plate.) 



It is not unusual to find specimens of pale 

 pink coral cut and shaped like pink Pearls, and 

 offered for sale as such ; but an experienced eye 

 will not fail to detect the absence of the peculiar 

 silky sheen of the concentric layers of which 



