a small globule or ball used in necklaces, and made of different materials, as pearl, steel, garnet, coral, diamond, amber, crystal, pastes, glass. The Romans make great use of beads in rehearsing their Ave-Marias and Pater-nosters; and a similar custom obtains among the religious orders throughout the East, as well Mahometan as heathen. A string of such beads is called a rosary.

Glass beads were used by the Spaniards to barter with the natives of South America for gold; and to this day they are a favourite article of traffic with all savage nations. Sir William Beechey made considerable use of them during his visit to Behring's Straits in 1828.