Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/63

 The evidence against the existence of " Breeding Pearls" may be classed under two heads, viz; the results of positive experiment; and a scientific demonstration of the absolute impossibility of Pearls breeding Pearls. As regards the former, Dr. Robertson, well known to all members of this Society, allows me to use his name in stating the following facts. Having been informed that not only would pearls breed, but that a resident in Singapore had actually added to her income by selling the pearls thus produced, he obtained four or five specimens which were carefully sealed up at the Singapore Dispensary in a box, with grains of rice, as directed by the donor. This operation was performed by Dr. Robertson in the presence of Dr. R. Little and Mr. Jamie and the box was then put away. At the expiration of the period directed, the box was opened in presence of those gentlemen (the seal being intact) and the result was—nil. No trace appeared either of pearls, or of anything which could form a nucleus around which a pearly growth might in time take place. So far as it went, that experiment was conclusive and others have related to me a similar experience. Mr. C. K. E. Woods, Solicitor to whom I had written for a book supposed to contain a notice of these pearls answered as follows:—

"I have not found the book you want, but I have heard from several natives and also from a few Europeans that pearls do breed when packed in a box or bottle. I tried the experiment once but did not succeed in increasing the stock."

So far as we have yet got then we have the positive testimony of residents, whose words are beyond cavil, that these pearls. to breed. I have seen with my own eyes a collection of pearls which either "grew," or were put where they are by human hands. To say nothing of the fact that none of my witnesses would invent a gratuitous falsehood, I am able to cite six cases, in three of which the parties, without any previous communication on the subject, certity to the same occurrence. Against this we have the equally reliable testimony of others that in their own cases attempts to "breed" such pearls have been downright failures. Negative evidence is, however, always weaker than positive. Some year or two ago, for instance, I and some other friends imported a selection of English flower seeds. Not one of 32 varieties in my own case (and in the majority of others) came up, but one recipient was more fortunate. Now all our negative evidence that the seeds would not grow was of course set aside by the simple fact that in one case they did grow. Flower seeds are of course supposed to grow, and it may be urged that flower seeds and pearls can hardly be classed together as regards reproductive qualities. But the incident may serve as an illustra-