CHINESE TUADE. 453 



Mother of Pearl* 



THIS article confiils of large thick oyfter- 

 fliells, of a grey colour on the outfide, and 

 fmooth and filvciy Mrithin, They have in- 

 ternally the fame bpauty and fpleodor as 

 thofc pearls which are commonly found in 

 them. 



The Chinefe do not procure thefe fhells 

 in their own country^ but from Cochin- 

 china and Camboja. They manufatfture 

 all kinds of toys of them j and ufe them 

 alfo inftead of window- glafs, as they admit 

 almoft as much light as fome of our glafs in 

 Europe. They employ them, likewife^ in 

 making lime j not for building, becaufe it 

 is not fo llrong a cement as that made of 

 ft one ; but for pi after and ftucco, as it is 

 jnuch finer and whiter. Mother of pearl 

 ought to be chofen of a beautiful white co- 

 G g 3 . iour, 



