to
each valve. That the animal should survive the introduction of so many
irritating bodies, and in such a brief period secrete a covering of
nacre over them all, is certainly a striking physiological fact. Some
naturalists, indeed, have expressed strong doubts as to its
possibility, supposing the Pearls were made to adhere to the shell by
some composition ; but the examination of living specimens in
different stages of growth, having both valves studded with Pearls, has
fully demonstrated its truth. A tinge of yellow is found over the whole
inner surface of some shells, shewing that the more recent secretion
of nacre by the suffering animal was unnatural ; the flesh of all,
however, is eaten.
Above
five thousand families are represented as being engaged in this
singular branch of industry in the villages of Chung-kwan and
Siau-chang-ngan ; they, however, mainly derive their support from
cultivating the mulberry, and in rearing silkworms, and other
agricultural occupations. Those who are not expert in the management of
the shells lose ten to fifteen per cent, by deaths ; others lose none
in a whole season.
The
invention is attributed by the villagers to a native of the place,
ancestor of many of them, named Yu Shun-yang, to whom a temple has been
erected, in which divine honours are paid to his
