mussels
naturally produce, are in the habit of stimulating their growth by
artificial means. This method of Pearl production has already been
incidentally alluded to in an earlier chapter of this work (p. 119),
but as it constitutes a very ancient and important industry in China,
it may be well in this place, to describe the process more minutely.
The industry is confined to a district within a few days' journey of
Ningpo, and some years ago Mr. Consul Hague and Dr. Macgowan despatched
an intelligent native to the locality, with a view of drawing up a
complete report on the methods employed, and of procuring illustrative
specimens. In 1853, the late Sir John Bowring communicated tó the
Society of Arts a valuable paper on this subject, prepared by Dr.
Macgowan, and from this communication, we extract the following
interesting account of this curious art :—
"The
practice of the art is confined to two conterminous villages, near the
district city of Tehtsing, in the northern part of Chihkiang, in a
silk-producing region. In the month of May or June, large quantities of
the mussel (Mytilus cygnus), are brought in baskets from the
Tâhu, a lake in Kiangsu, about thirty miles distant, the largest among
the full-grown being specially selected. As their health suffers on the
journey, they are allowed
