THE ECONOMIC MOLLUSCA OF ACADIA. 
85 
■ deposition of the pearly material around grains of sand or other 
accidental intrusions, for the sake of rendering the latter less irritating 
to the animal, and this is the generally received opinion. The pro- 
portion of individuals containing them is, however, very small; not one 
in a thousand contains a pearl of real value. The Mussels found in 
clear, running, gravelly streams are most likely to contain them. 
Economics. Pearls are obtained from fresh-water Mussels 
in several parts of the world, notably China, Japan, Germany, 
and formerly, Scotland. They are also found in the United 
■ States, and some rivers have been systematically worked for 
them. Those of Scotland were formerly held in high esteem 
and have brought very high prices. A complete discussion of 
the subject may be found in the papers mentioned below. 
In our own waters some very valuable pearls have been 
found in the fresh-water Mussel. Mr. S. E. Gerow, of the 
Customs, St. John, is the most expert and successful pearl- 
fisher of these provinces. The following facts have been 
given by him to Mr. S. W. Kain, and the latter has kindly 
allowed the writer to quote them. 
The largest pearl Mr. Gerow knows of that has yet been 
found in Mew Brunswick, weighed fifty-six grains, and was 
sold to parties in Philadelphia for four hundred and fifty 
dollars. . . . This was found in a brook near Sussex, Kings 
County. Mr. Gerow found one himself at Coldbrook, which 
weighed twenty-five grains, and he sold it for one hundred 
and fifty dollars. It was a very beautiful pearl of splendid 
lustre and perfect shape. He found another at the same 
place worth one hundred and fifty dollars, and weighing 
nineteen grains. Little New River, he says, is a good place 
for them. He found one there that weighed eighteen grains, 
and sold for one hundred and ten dollars. A man who was 
with him found one that he sold for thirty dollars. Mr. 
Gerow stated that he had seen a pearl from Nova Scotia that 
sold for seventy-five dollars. St. John, Kings and Charlotte 
are the only counties where he knows of much search having 
been made. Mr. Gerow found another weighing fifty grains, 
but it was not symmetrical. It was flat on one side, but of a 
very good purplish lustre. He sold it in New York for one 
