Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/59

 BREEDING PEARLS

residents in Singapore, and more especially Members of this Society, have heard of "Breeding Pearls," or Pearls which, as alleged, have under certain conditions the power of reproducing fresh specimens. My attention having been drawn to the subject shortly after my arrival in the Colony, I made enquiries in all likely quarters, and propose to lay the results before this meeting. When I commenced these enquiries I had no particular theory to support either in favour of, or opposed to, this apparently incomprehensible matter. And what I now intend to do is to shortly state (1) What is known of the origin of these objects by their possessors, and the process by which they are held to reproduce themselves; (2) The evidence I have been able to collect respecting their existence and a description of what I have myself seen; (3) The objections raised against the possibility of such an alleged reproduction and, (4) Some concluding remarks regarding certain other natural occurrences which may be held to confirm the possibility of an event as yet inexplicable by even advanced scientists.

The Pearls in question are reputed to come chiefly from Borneo and Java, although found in nearly all islands of the Archipelago, and even in Singapore; there does not appear to be any specific native name for them as distinguished from ordinary pearls. As regards appearance, those shewn me resemble the ordinary jeweller's pearl in look, though slightly more irregular in shape. The largest of regular shape I have yet seen is something over three sixteenths of an inch in diameter, though an irregularly formed one is over inch in length, by 3/16 ths. in width, while the smallest is a mere pin-point of microscopic dimensions. As regards substance, they are alleged to present exactly the same laminated section as the ordinary pearl when cut, and a lady, resident in this Colony, informs me that