Bivalves in which pearls are found are of three kinds, and are called in scientific language meleagrinae margaritifera, haliotis gigas, haliotis iris.
There is another pearl, but of inferior quality, procured from a shell which is known to mariners under the name of putellamola, or sea-ear.
The most valued bivalve is the meleagrina margaritifera, otherwise known as the pearl oyster.
Pearl oysters inhabit both eastern and western seas, but always in warm latitudes.
Inferior bivalves and the pearliferous turbinite are found in other seas, and in many rivers.
Where the meleagrine are found collected in great quantities they are distinguished hy the
name of pearl banks. The most celebrated of these lie near the coasts
of Ceylon, the Persian Gulf, near Japan, in the waters of Java and
Sumatra, near the Isthmus of Panama, and at the mouths of the Bio la
Hacha, in America.
The
ear-shells and bivalves which live in rivers are taken by hand ; but,
on account of marine monsters, the fishing of meleagrine oysters is
very dangerous, as they adhere to the deep submarine rocks.
In
the East pearl fishers before going out receive extreme unction from
their priests ; and, on reaching the pearl bank, they murmur a prayer,
throw themselves into the sea, rake up oysters as long as they can
remain under water, and then rise up to deposit their take in the
boats. After a little rest, they return to their dangerous fishing.
