54 
EDIBLE BRITISH MOLLUSKS. 
Inventions/ states that real pearls are found under the 
shield of the sea-hare [Aplysia], as has been observed 
by Bohadsch^ in his book De Aniraalibus Marinis^ 
(Dresdae, 1761). Our Scotch pearl-fishery has, within 
the last few years, been most successfully revived ; and 
in 1860 Mr. Moritz Unger, a foreigner, on making 
a tour through the districts where the pearl-mussel 
abounds, found that the pearl-fishing was not altoge- 
ther forgotten, many of the people having pearls in 
their possession, of which they did not know the value. 
He purchased all he could obtain ; consequently, in 
the following year, many persons devoted their spare 
time to pearl-fishing, and during the summer months 
made as much as .£8 to J01O weekly. The sum- 
mer of 1862 was most favourable for fishing, owing 
to the dryness of the season, and the average price 
was from ^2. 6^. to lO^., <£5 being a high price. They 
now fetch prices varying from £5 to £20. The Queen 
purchased one Scotch pearl for 40 guineas; others at 
high prices have been bought by the Empress of the 
French and the Duchess of Hamilton; and Mr. Unger 
has a necklace of these pearls valued at £350.* Pearl- 
mussels are found in Lochs Earn, Tay, Rannoch, and 
Lubnaig, and in the Don, the Leith, and in many of 
the other Scotch streams; also in some of the Welsh 
rivers, from whence I have received fine specimens; 
in Ireland, near Enniskillen, and in the river Bann, 
which is noted for its fine pearls. They wade for them 
in the shallow pools, or take them by thrusting a long 
stick between the valves when the shell is open. When 
a number have been collected they are. left to decom- 
pose, when the pearls drop out.f They may also be 
^ The ‘ Times,’ December 24th, 1863. f Tour in Ulster. 
