NATURAL HISTORY of NORWAY. 165 



The Oes-Sksel, or Mufcle, differs a good deal from the former, oes-sksei. 

 being of a larger fize, and is not reckoned fit to be eaten ; but 

 they are only ufed, as fome of the aforefaid Shell-fifh of the 

 Oyfter kind, for baits. In thefe fhells they fometimes find pearls, 

 that are purer and more valuable than thofe taken out of the 

 Oyfter-fhells : but our right Pearl-mufcle is a third fort, and is 

 found with us only in rivers and frefh water. Thefe differ in 

 fhape from the Sea-mufcles, the (hell being almoft round, and 

 flatter and broader than that of the common Mufcle. They 

 refemble them in colour, the outfide being black, and the infide 

 of a bright pearly blue. In moil parts of Norway, particularly 

 the weft fide, there .are rivers and brooks where thefe fort of 

 Mufcles are found. The right of the pearl-fifhery belongs to the 

 king, and is carried on at his Majefty's expence. In the dio- 

 cefe of Chriftianfand there are the following pearl-rivers, which 

 are reckoned the beft in Norway. 



.i 



The river Gan, 



river Nserims, J. In the manor of Stavangers. 

 river Quaffims, 



The river Lille, in Lyngdahl,! 



river Undals, 1 In the manor of Lifter 



Roffelands, a little rivulet; and 1 and Mandal. 



fome other fmall brooks. 



The river Berge, and 7 T 1 r * T i 



Baafelands, a little brook, ] In the manor of Nedenss - 



The genuine pearls, which are annually taken about Midfummer in 

 thefe waters, are the property of her majefty the queen alone, as one 

 of the regalia of the kingdom of Norway. There is a manager 

 or intendant to prefide over the pearl-fifhery : the perfon who 

 is entrufted with this office at prefent, is the honourable M. Paul 

 Baumann, who, at my requeft, has been fo obliging, as to com- 

 municate to me his obfervations on the Pearl-mufcle, and its pro- 

 perties : I (hall infert them in his own words, under the title of 

 Some Obfervations concerning the Pearl-mufcles, their Nature and 

 Properties. "The form and fhape of thefe Mufcles are well 

 known. As long as they are in the water the Fifh is ufoally 

 almoft out of the fhell, much like a fnail, dragging its houfe 

 behind him : but notwithstanding the fhells are open while they 

 continue in the water, yet they lie in fuch a manner, that one 



Part II. U u can- 



