6. Caesar himself conceals that ignoble motive; but it is
mentioned by Suetonius, c. 47. The British pearls proved,
however, of little value, on account of their dark and livid
colour. Tacitus observes, with reason (in Agricola, c. 12),
that it was an inherent defect. "Ego facilius crediderim,
naturam margaritis deesse quam nobis avaritiam."