Page 405 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

AND 31USCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOIL T1IB YEAR 1877-78. 37

Oysters.
:j-2. Pearl-bearing oysters are here divided into three classes, called
M Zinni,” Sudaifee, and Mahar, respectively; of these the Mahar contains
the ln-st pearls, and is fcuud iu deeper water than the others.
The Sudaifee comes next, which is a longer shell than the Mahar,
docs not produce such a white or heavy pearl, but one that is 6aid to
improve by keeping1. The neighbourhood of Ras-el-Jubal is famed for
these.
The Zinni arc the least esteemed, the pearl is said to be lighter and
liable to spoil by a change of colour, an accident from which the Mahar
is said to be free, but the Zinni shell has come into great demand during
the last three years, in consequence of a rage for pearl ornaments in
Europe, and large fortunes have been lately made; three years ago you
could buy 100 inaunds of 91b. the maund for 10 dollars at most Now
100 maunds cost GO dollars. This mussel mnst however not be
confounded with the large mother-o'-pearl shell which is really more
valuable from its greater size.
33. The manner in which the oyster (or mollusk more properly)
anchors himself, slips his cable, &c.,* is so well known that a descrip­
tion would be superfluous. The divers assert that these cables are some­
times of fabulous length, going through the banks aud re-appeariug again
in a manner that would preclude all chance of following one up.
31. They say also that the oysters aie invariably found open-
mouthed, but on the "scent” of the hand approaching them they close up.
3o. Occasionally the diver comes upon a packed mass of oysters
which is called a "Tabrchthese clinging round and growing out from
each other may occupy a small space, but are invariably pearl-bearing,
and such a find will ofteu make up for months of disappointments. Such
a lucky accident is not of very common occurrence.
This form of swarming was evidently known to Pliny, who quotes
other writers, setting forth a statement that the oysters lived in com­
munities like bees under a chief of large size and venerable old age or
beauty, who took precautions against danger. That on this leader
being secured the lesser ones fell easy victims.
Pearls.
36. As to the generation of pearls, science has not yet arrived at
any definite conclusion, but the theory
Extract, paragraph 13, Tinaczdly
Report* put forward by Dr. Kelaart would seem
The food of pearl ojitera consists to have strong claims to attention.
of fonucincfara minuto e!ja\ and From the Greek "bones/* the "mala­
distoraaccoe; and Dr. Kciaart has eag- dies and warts" of chell. fish, of
R<*»ted tlxat the siliceous internal eliclo- . ... . ... . .
ton* of these microscopic diotoms GestuIIian, OOO turns With pleasure to
maj possible pernecto tbo cost* of the the old poetical idea of tho oyster being
mantle, and become nccld of pearl*. impregnated by dew drops, as mentioned
by Pliny and others, theory devoutly believed in to this day by tb*
Arabs themselves*

• If wonted, refo7cnco obedd bo cads to tbo ecloatiSc dcscrlptlca ecd ooia oa tbs
btbit of the pearl ojitcr. 12 of eZfirs-ZjzzCmsd. TiriiOTcIJj Etpsi.