324 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

detached, and form articles of commerce, as pearls of in-
ferior value; the former being considered more precious,
both on account of their rotundity of form, and the clear-
ness and beauty of their complexion.”

Very amusing notions were held by the ancients on the
origin of these beautiful productions. Pliny tells us that
the oyster which produces pearls, does so from feeding upon
heavenly dew: our own early writers have recorded the
same opinions. In the East, it is commonly believed that
these gems are

“Rain from the sky,
Which turns into pearls as it falls in the sea ;””
or, as it is still more poetically expressed by the natives of
India, they are congealed dew-drops, which Buddha, in cer-
tain months, showers upon the earth, and which are caught
by the oysters whilst floating on the waters to breathe.

Pearls were held in great esteem in ancient Rome. The
Roman ladies used them in all parts of their dress, and
frequently wore several in each ear: the moralist Seneca
reproved some one by saying that “his wife carried all the
wealth of his house in her ears.” Julius Cesar presented
one to Servilia, the mother of Brutus, valued at £48,417
of our money; and the celebrated pearl which Cleopatra is