Extragts cf fm Lettm^ mitten t0 the Fdltfier from Hambo- 
rough the Learned Chriftophorus Sandius, concerning th 
Origin of Vcgrls. 
7heJirftisofDecemkii.i6j3. thus Englifli't ; 
Touching the Origin of Pearls, of which I formerly gave 
an intimation, be pleafcd to receive this account. The 
Pearl-fliells in Norway and elfewhere do breed in Sweet waters. 
Their fliells are like to thofe, which commonly are called Muf- 
cles, but they are larger. The fifli in them looks like an Oifter, 
and it produceth a great clufter of Eggs, like thofe of cra- 
fiflies, fome white, fome black (which latter yet will become 
white^ the outer black coat being taken offO Thefe Eggs^ 
when ripe, are caft out, and being caft out they grow, and be- 
come like thofe that caft them. But fometimes it happens, 
that one or two of thofe Eggs ftickfaftto the fides of the ma- 
trix, and are not voided with the reft. Thefe are fed by the 
Oifleragainft her will, and they do grow, according to the 
length of time, into pearls of different bigneflres,and imprint a 
mark both in the fifh and the fliell, by the fcituation conform 
to its figure. 
So far the jirjl Letter * the matter of which being new, but 
deftituteof proof, the Publifher took the liberty of defiring 
from the Author the favour of imparting to him what ground 
be had for this affertion: Whereupon was returned this fecond 
Letter,datedPif^r.2 7.i674 ^ viz. 
AS to the authority,! have to aflert fuchan origin of Pearls, 
as I have done in my former ; I here declare, that a cer- 
tain DanCy called Henricus Arnoldi, an ingenuous and veraci- 
ous perfon, having by his own Experience found it fo 2X Chri- 
Jliamam Norway^ did in that manner relate ft tome, as I im- 
parted itto you, he having with great ferio'jfnefs affured me of 
the truth thereof. Befides, the thing feems highly probable, 
neither do any confiderable objedions appear againft ir. If I 
fliould chance to go into thofe parts, or at leaft into the Coun- 
try of the Dukes of Br unfmck^ where alfo Pearls are found, 
B 2 not 
