388 THE MAGIC OF JEWELS AND CHARMS
The
recital of two Arab travelers, Hasan ibn Vazid and Sulaiman, who
visited India in the ninth century, contains a curious theory of the
formation of pearls or rather of the pearl-oyster. The primal matter is
assumed to be a gelatinous moss, analogous to that of a species of
algae. This floats upon the water and attaches itself to the keels of
ships, where it hardens, develops a shell, and finally drops off to
sink into the depths of the sea. The formation of the pearl itself is
then discussed and the theory noted in Pliny's Natural History and so
often repeated after his time, namely, that pearls are formed from the
"dew of heaven," is cited; but the writer adds : "Others say that they
[the pearls] are produced in the oysters themselves. This appears more
probable and is confirmed by experience ; for the greater part of those
observed in the oysters are firmly attached there and are immovable.
Those which are mobile are called by the merchants seed-pearls." As a
true Mohammedan the writer concludes with the pious ejaculation: "God
knows how the matter really stands ! " 19
The
same travellers relate the story of the discovery of a pearl under very
singular conditions. An Arab came to Bassora with a very fine pearl. He
took it to a druggist whom he knew and asked the latter how much it was
worth. The merchant estimated it at a hundred pieces of silver, to the
great surprise of the Arab, who demanded whether anyone could be found
willing to pay so much. Without hesitation the merchant declared that
he was ready to give the price himself, and immediately paid over the
money. He then took his purchase to Bagdad, where he secured a large
profit on his investment. On concluding his sale the Arab told the
Bassora jiruggist how he had secured his pearl. One day, while walking
along the Bahrein coast, he saw on the
" " Ancient Accounts of India and China by Two Mohammedan Travellere," trans, by Abbé Renaudot, London, 1733, p. 96.
