Polynesian., 1858-06-19
CHE 1)olpnesian.
Communicated
Production of Natural Pearls.

Production of Natural Pearls.
Linneus, the immortal father of modern natural
history, discovered the means of obtaining pearls
by inoculation or impregDatiOn. The mollusks,
upon which he tried his successful experiments,
belong to the genus MythiluS, bvalvular she'll
fish, of which he chose the species called Mythilus
pictOrum; similar to our common sweet water mus
Gle.
This valuable discovery was made in 1856, and
in l76l, the great naturalist presented to the
Swedish Diet a memorial on the subject, and ap-
piled for a reward in consideration of his giving
up his process for the benefit of his country. The
particulars of his mOd4s Operandi he communicated
verbally to the secret committee appointed to re-
ceiye it, and the report that followed in every
respect favorable; but the parsimonious terms Of
fered to the discoverer, having been far below his
fair and just expectations, he disposed of his secret
in favor of Peter Bagge, merchant of Gothenburg,
which was patented by the king in council on the
9TH September, 1862.
But, during the preparations for carrying on
this operation the patentee died and the paper con-
him, could not be found until 1920 when his grand
son-afterwards Swedish Consul at Liverpool
happened to find it hidden in an old account book.
Being in friendly intercourse with that gentle
man, he entrusted to me, in 1896, the care of COM
posing an Introductory notice of his intended dis
position of the said property of the heirs of Peter
Bagge. Whereupon | entered into communication
with eminent pearl-dealers, both in France and in
England. Ten thousand pounds sterling, was the
price fixed for the exclusive privilege of the patent,
which was to be renewed by the Swedish govern
ment, with the right allowed the purchaser of ta-
king out patents wherever he liked During the
time of my correspondence the subject, receiv-
ed an offer Of $4,000 from Robert ROskel, in Ii
verpool, and another of &c 900 from a Partisan
house. was on the eve of obtaining the consent
of the owners to accept a price of $4,000,
when Mr.. Bagge died suddenly in Liverpool. His
papers, comprising the pearl-document, were sealed
and sent to his family in Sweden, and, as 1 was
informed few months after, the former fatality
had been renewed for the document could nowhere
be found.
Believing that the public has never been made
aware Of some of the interesting details that 1
found in the manuscript memorial of Archiater
Linneus to the Swedish Diet, give them in the
following extract
L" Our so called pearl muscles are commonly known
to exist in the strongest waterfalls of the Lapland ri
vers but they also found lower down in the
try, in most places where such rapids occur.
| have how muscles hSled at Beer
kiaud, the most noted pearlf fishery in Lueo Lapmask
where the men construct raft upon which they pro-
cee TO the rapid and there anchor it with stone and
a wretched rope. Lying down at length this raft
they extract the muscles from the bottom by of
long wooden pinchers and after having thus collected
large quantity, they bring them on shore when they
are opened to find the pearls An immense number of
shells srewn the river side show the extent of the
slaughter and how many mollusks have been sacrificed
to produce pearl of value; for generally from
jewel is exhibited In this the PEARL fishery
is poor employment.
1.-THE pearl in the muscle is the consequence of a na-
tura disease if such affection can be impaired to
the animal, it must produce the effect.
% Nature performs its operations in very simple
manner, but its process is most difficult to find out.
Pearl-musc are always sedentary on the bottom,
gaping with one end but it is impossible TO ascertain
whether they contain pearls without separating the
valves with violence and thus killing the animal for
exterior Symptom ~ NlSDle On Jne Sneu Wncn IN
creases in dimensions with the pearl that is attached
it The pearl takes six years attain the size of pea
and about twelve to double that volume.
s' Every muscle can be inOcuated with pearl-seed at
the cost of one silver (about LIZ of cent
Sc Pearls are either of a ripe unrpe nature. The
incubator has the power of producing both at the
expense, but unripe pearl will become ripe
one. One person will be able, with an assistant to
impart pearl generation to hundred muscles in n
day. The figure of the pearl will depend on the mani
pulator who will be able to obtain them round pear
shaped or oblong ad Ebitl. No muscle submitted to
the operation can refuse to perform its task provided
the mollusk is replaced the bottom of the rapid,
to live in its proper element
Like nature itself my method is of the greatest sim
plcty therefore its secret requires constant watchfu
ness, if my country wishes to retain the monopoly of
this rich enterprise, for other mountainous countries
such Switzerland, Scotland AUSTRIA etc. possess the
same pearl muscles in large quantities.
g 1t was only after much pain and study that l
ceraned what caused the generation of pearls and how
nature perfected the result am ready at any time to
teach my process which be easily understood and
performed by the plainest mind The operation
also applicable all other sorts of muscles well
TO oysters, but the pearl varies in beauty with the
water inhabited by the mousk. and the finest that
have obtained from pearl muscles, were found in
the strongest waterfalls that never freeze.
"Upsala 1851, 9th February.
Signed, CARL LINNKUS.
The hints conveyed in this brief exposition may per-
haps awaken researches on the indicated track
and possibly lead to the resurrection of subject that
has been for so long time buried in oblivion.
d. FRICK, L. L. D.