Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 155, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1915 — PEARLING in the AMERICAS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PEARLING in the AMERICAS

by WILLIAM A.REID of the PAN AMERICAN UNION

OVER in Ceylon the loyal natives have long called their beautiful island “Pearl-drop on the brow of India.” A name most appropriately bestowed when we recall that in Ceylon waters lie probably the oldest pearl-fishing grounds known to man. For thousands of years they have ▼ W sent forth the choicest gems to add ' luster to the crown of royal ruler or to adorn the bosom of the fairest 4 —""T queen of culture and wealth. y after nightfall of a pleasant evening our little steamer sailed out of the harbor of Colombo, bound for the “pearly shores,” for an anchorage a few miles off the' port of Arippu, near which place the pearl-fishing fleet was to begin operations at the rising of the sun. In Ceylon the oyster beds are under government supervision, and about March of each year a great pearl-fishing expedition hovers over the waters of the Gulf of Mannar. The personnel of the fleet is made up of Malays, Arabs, Indians, Singalese, and those from various other branches of India’s teeming millions. The experience of the stranger with the unique fleet is not disappointing. The sight of thousands of divers from hundreds of little boatß. plunging into the water or riding downward astride heavy weights, rising with their treasures, others returning to the watery depths, the babel of strange voices combine to paint a picturesque and lasting impression upon the mind of the visitor. The waters around Ceylon and those of the Gulf of California have the richest pearl-produc-ing oyster beds in existence. Situated on opposite sides of the earth, it is interesting to compare the work of the pearl hunters or divers, so far separated, yet pursuing many methods in common in the search for precious gems beneath the waters. In Ceylon upon a given signal the diving begins; the boats .are small and hold comfortably eight or twelve persons. The men wear few clothes, and each man takes a turn at diving, for all of them appear to be experts. A rope with weight attached is thrown over the side of the boat, the diver attaches himself to the rope, and his assistant lowers him Into the .water. Other divers plunge downward unassisted. Around the diver hangs a bag, within which he places the oysters as rapidly as he can pick them from the sea bottom. On the Mexican coast, of which La Pax is the general rendezvous, the method of pearling is much the same as in Ceylon. Many of the vessels used are larger, and the modem diving suit is more in evidence. There is usually a large sailboat called the “mother," and probably half a dozen smaller ones termed "luggers.” The latter are manned by a crew of six or eight men. one or two of whom are divers. The small boats transfer their catches at frequent intervals to the larger vessel standing by, where the shells are opened and carefully examined for pearls. What is a pearl? Before considering other pearl-fishing grounds, especially those of the Americas, it may be of interest to know just how the pearl is produced; that is, so far as the scientific reader is concerned. One of the shortest and most striking definitions is that suggested by a French scientist, who says “a pearl is the brilliant sarcophagus of a worm.” Others go more into detail and declare that the growth of the pearl is often associated with a possible degree of annoyance or pain. The tiny deposit that finds itself within the shell of a mollusk or oyster may be introduced accidentally or purposely, as we shall see later. The foreign substance within the shell is believed to irritate the oyster and he begins to cover it with a serif® of thin layers of calcium carbonate. Little by little these peculiar layers are formed, and in a few years a beautiful pearl may be the result, or the formation may prove absolutely worthless. Pearl-forming mollusks are widely distributed over the world, and they may be univalves or bivalves; in the former shape we sometimes find them in concha and in the latter classification in clams and oysters. The subject in various ramifications has proved interesting and fascinating to investigators; but this story is only a general n»»v about the pearl, and the scientific details are left to those who make a serious study of the of this famous and much-prized ornament. Salt-water pearl fishing in the Americas has th pear g w ' majf

the fisheries of Ceylon or those of the Persian gulf, Columbus and those who followed in his wake often found uncivilized natives wearing pearls of great value. Indeed, so many pearls were found oft the Venezuelan coast that early explorers gave the came of “El Gulfo de las Perlas” to certain waters where the pearls appeared to be plentiful. Today the pearl fisheries of Margarita island, off the Venezuelan coast, become active each autumn, when hundreds of small boats present a scene not unlike that of the pearl season of California oa-Ceylon. _ Many of the expert divers of Venezuela have engaged themselves to an Ecuadorian company which is developing pearl fishing along the coast of that country. Near the little port of Manta the results have proved quite satisfactory, and during a recent year about $20,000 worth of pearls were shipped to European markets. About the shores of numerous islands in the Bay of Panama there are pearl fisheries. One of these islands, to which the name of Pearl has been given, has long been supplying pearls of greater or less value. The work about this and other islands of Panama bay is carried on like that of Lower California. One of the great difficulties encountered is the heavy tides of this section of the Pacific, which prevent steady work. There are various other sections of the oceans that supply fine pearls, such as the shore of Queensland (Australia), the Red sea, New Guinea waters, about the island of Madagascar, and elsewhere. Generally speaking, an ordinary fishing boat party expects to secure several tons of shells a day, and possibly one shell in a thousand contains a pearl. The Mexican waters in which fishing is done are from SO to 50 feet deep, and the fleet is active four to six months in the year, beginning operations in the autumn. A pearling expedition as equipped for the Mexican waters often costs SIO,OOO to $15,000 to outfit, and possibly at the end of the season the catch may not be worth half the amount expended. But if no mishap occurs to any of the little vessels the supply of mother-of-pearl shells obtained should be of sufficient value to repay the general outfitting expenses. One of the allied industries of pearl fishing is that of obtaining valuable shells, which we know as motherof-pearl. The latter are found generally along with the pearl fisheries; and often when no pearls exist within,the oyster the shells themselves may be of considerable value. Mother-of-pearl is defined as the “internal nacreous lining of the molluscan shell.” This shell, as is well known, is in general use in our homes, where it is highly prized for toilet articles, for handles to knives, for buttons, and countless other services where a high polish find lasting qualities are desired. The monks and other inhabitants of Bethlehem are said to be among the world's most skilled workers in mother-of-pearl shells; the beautiful ornaments that come from that ancient city are highly valued In leading cities of Europe and America. Pearls in the Americas, as in other countries, should now be within the reach of those of modest means. Today in world markets of London, Bombay, Paris or La Pax the -pfearl is selling for about half its ordinary value. R is said that pearls from waters of the Americas are to be seen in the crowns o' most Euro-

pean rulers. One of the most valuable pearls ever obtained in Mexican fisheries was sent to Paris and there sold to the emperor of Austria for SIO,OOO. On another occasion the government of Spain presented to Napoleon 111 a black Mexican pearl valued at $25,000. The combination tints of black, blue and green are quite rare, and the Mexican and Panama pearls often combine these colorings, and apparently have reached pearl perfection. The Venezuelan fisheries produce annually more than half a million dollars’ worth of pearls Many of the world’s most beautiful gems have come from that country, and it is Baid that in 1679 King Philip of Spain obtained from near Margarita island a pearl weighing 260 carats, which was variously estimated to be worth from $40,000 to SIOO,OOO. The most perfect pearl in the world is said to be “La Pellegrina.” a rare gem that is preserved in the Zosima museum in Moscow; it weighs 28 carats, is globular in form, and originally came from Indian waters. The world’s largest pearl Is in the Hope collection in the Victoria and Albert museum, London. It weighs three ounces and has a circumference of 4% inches. One of the world’s leading authorities on pearls is Dr. George F. Kunz. According to a recent writer, the former says that a pearl of the finest grade should have "a perfect skin, fine orient or delicate texture, be free from specks or flaws, and he of translucent white color, with a subdued iridescent sheen. It should be perfectly spherical, or if not, of symmetrical shape. White or .pink pearls are the finest, owing to their delicat6 Sh6GD. M In China and Japan the mention of the pearl occurs in the history of those countries as early as 1000 B. C. Pearling industry in both nations has passed down through the ages, and even today it gives employment to many workers, skilled and unskilled. Visitors to Japan will be especially interested in Mikimoto’s pearl farms at Argo bay; they are marvels of scientific accomplishment in the propagation of pearls. The methods pursued are more or less as follows. The young oysters are brought from the Vatera serum is injected into the shell; this substance sets up irritation within, and the oyster, it seems, then begins to coat the offensive foreign matter with layer after layer of calcareous deposits. A few years pass and the same oyster is fished from the waters and his pearl-making work examined. Possibly a beautiful pearl may have been formed. ' Many so-called pearls seen today are but imitations of the genuine article, and some of them are so cleverly constructed that a trained eye is required to see the deception. River or fresh-water pearls are found quite generally in temperate climes of the northern hemisphere, especially in the British isles. Saxony, Bavaria, Bohemia, Canada, and in many states of the Union. In several of the rivers of Ohio, in those of Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, Michigan and other states, mussels have been found from time to Ome that contained good pearls.