Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/60

 Professor Huxley examined one at her request, and subjected it to numerous tests, of which he reported the result to be that it was absolutely indistinguishable from the ordinary pearl used for jewelry.

The process by which reproduction takes place involves only very simple preparations. Four or five large sized pearls (most people have begun with three) are placed in a small chip or other box with as many grains of uncooked white rice as the experimenter chooses—from 15 to 30 are usually used. Absolute freedom from disturbance is, by some, alleged to be necessary for the formation of the new pearls, while others deny that this makes any difference if they are not unduly handled or shaken. If examined at the end of a certain period (about a year) objects resembling small seed pearls will be found strewn about the bottom of the box, while in many cases the original pearls themselves will be found to have increased in size. If again left untouched for a further period of six months or a year, and then examined, some of the seeds will be found to have become larger, while fresh seeds will have formed. Each grain of rice now presents a curious appearance. A small circular bite seems to have been taken from the end of each, the number of seed pearls agreeing with the number of grains thus affected.

The lady resident above referred to having kindly offered to shew me her collection, I saw it at the end of December last. It consisted of about five large or medium sized pearls and, as nearly as could be estimated, about 120 small sized pearls, varying from the most minute speck to a size large enough for use in certain descriptions of jewelry. Every grain of rice was, so far as I could see, marked as before described—looking in fact as if some beetle had gnawed away a portion of its end. She informed me that the larger pearls she showed me had been in their present box for about 20 years; that she had only put four or five into the box when it was just closed; that, except to shew to persons interested, the box had always been kept shut; that any tampering with it had been impossible—to say nothing of the fact that no one was likely to have strewn seed pearls in it for the purpose of playing a practical joke which might not even attract attention for a lengthened period.

Shortly after seeing the pearls above mentioned, good fortune led me to enquire of Dr. Rowell, the principal Medical Officer of Singapore, what he knew about the matter. It so happened that I could not have applied to better authority, Mrs.having for some years possessed and bred the pearls in question. I give her experience in her own words, her kindness in furnishing the