Freshwater pearl mussel Freshwater pearl mussel The freshwater pearl mussel ("Margaritifera margaritifera") is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusc in the family Margaritiferidae. Although the name "freshwater pearl mussel" is often used for this species, other freshwater mussel species can also create pearls and some can also be used as a source of mother of pearl. In fact, most cultured pearls today come from "Hyriopsis" species in Asia, or "Amblema" species in North America, both members of the related family Unionidae; pearls are also found within species in the genus "Unio". The interior of the shell of "Margaritifera margaritifera"
The Qing Ding Pearl The Qing Ding Pearl The Qing Ding Pearl (《慶頂珠》, simplified 庆顶珠) is a Chinese play. It dates to the Song Dynasty and is still performed in adapted forms in the Beijing Opera. The play is known by other titles: Two sections (折 zhe) of the main play are sometimes performed separately as The Fisherman's Revenge《漁夫恨》 or A Fisherman Kills a Family (《打漁殺家》, simplified 打渔杀家 dayu sha jia) also Collecting the Fishing Tax (《討漁稅》 "taoyushui"). The play tells the story of Xiao En (whose real identity is Ruan Xiaoqi from "Water Margin"), a poor fisherman and his daughter who seeks bloody