Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-01-19
Hunting Pearls.

| ton caused by foreign substance, OF Ger
tain shell mollusca These shells are found
both in the sea and in fresh water. Pearl
are quite common. Only those of large size
regular form and beautiful reflection art
considered rare and command high prices
Composed almost exclusively of lime and o
an organic matter, the pearl is easily injured
and has to be worn with care, otherwise il
would be destroyed by uses that would have
no effect upon precious stones. Notwith-
standing these drawbacks, its great beauty
and symbolical purity make it tavorite gem.
Various opinions have been EXPRESSED
from time to time upon the origin OF the
| pearl. The ancients dedicated it to Venus
and pcetically ascribed its formation to a
drop OF dew falling into the open shells. 1t
is sacred to love and beauty, and in the
marriage of Cupid and Psyche" a fine
engraving upon Sardonyx, the lovers are
united by string of pearls, emblems of con-
jugsl bonds. The belief once common that
the pearl was wholly morbid production of
the animal is not borne out by facts. Re-
cent examinations Of the pearl under the
microscope have proven that it is rather the
exception than the rule, that the pearl owes
its existence to irritating influence of for
eign substance. True, the Chinese have
successfully obtained pearls artifcially, in
Producing grains of sand and otherwise tor
turing the animal, which to relieve itself
from the irritation, covers the intruding sub
stance with pearly secretion. But pearls
are found which are solid to the center, and
others in which the interior cavities are per-
fectly empty, while they are of regular and
continuous texture in all their parts, and
entirely free from any foreign matter. A
pearl of the first quality should possess fine
orient, or water, pure whiteness, and
radiant lustre, that sparkles in the light.
Those of a white color showing delicate
reflection of azure are also highly priced.
1t must be of regular form, that is, perfect
ly spherical or pear shape, otherwise its
orient is OF little value; for, unlike precious
stones, the pearl can not be improved by art.
Those of yellowish tinge are of an inferior
quality.
WHAT SHELLS PRODUCE PEARLS.
Pearls are found in the shells of several
families of the large class of mollusca. The
most important is the Aricula Margaritifera,
Brugniera Pantadina Margarititera, Lam
arck. This species produce the finest pearls
and furnish commerce with vast quantity
of mother OF pearl, which il manufactured
into shirt and ornamental buttons, sleeve
studs, and buckles for hair and hat. II is
not possible to produce pearl artifcially
from the mother of pearl, for the simple
reason that the secretion of both the pearl
and mother of pearl is deposited in layers.
While the layers of the pearl are concentric
and unIfnrrn tho IN tho autsida
and mother of pearl is deposited in layers
parallel with the surface; to cut across
these layers would destroy the lustre, and it
could never have the same optical effect as
the pearl. In the times of the Ptolemies,
the Red Sea produced vast quantities of
pearls, but the beds have not been worked
for ages, and are probably exhausted. In
the Persian Gulf and the Straits of Manaar,
which separates the Island Of Ceylon from
the peninsula, are found some OF the mosl
beautiful pearls. In America, they are
found in the Gulf of Mexico on the Atlantic
side, and in Panama Bay and the Gulf Of
California on tine Pacific side.
CALIFORNIA PEARLS.
At the present time the latter place pro-
duccs q goodly share of the fnest-pearls
found. Before the present improved appli-
ances for pearl diving came in use, the
shells were gathered from the bottom Of the
the onerous duty from childhood. Their
powers of endurance were wonderful. They
were often ablo to remain under the water
as long rs six minutes at time. Besides
the pearl divers natural enemies-the
sharks and manta raya, a huge devil-fish,
which hovered over them and shut out the
rays Of light, and which deyoursd them on
their coming to the suriace-the great ei-
fort and fearful pressure when obliged to
dive to considerable depths, subjected them
to many accidents. Their bodies soon be-
came covered with sores from their continu-
Gus immersion in salt water, and few ever
arrived at respectable old age. Now
everything is changed. Science has made
pearl-diving mere matter of capital and
experience. The dangers and inconyeni-
ences are comparatively few. Pearl-diving
forms large portion Of the industry OF
Lower California, and vast quantities OF
pearls and mother of pearls are annually ex-
ported from La Paz, Mexico, the head
quarters of the pearl interests in the Gulf to
Europe and America. Most Of the finest
pearls find their way their to Europe, as the
American ladies do not as yet appreciate
fully these most beautiful gems. At the
bale, or Mexican parties, the senoritas adorn
their arms, neck and hair, with lustre-re-
fiecting pearls. 1t matters not whether she
lives in stylish house. or whether her home
partakes somewhat of the appearance Of power
", she will have her string of pearls, as the
ranchero in blouse and Sombrero, has his
silver-plated revolver, as well as the rich
miner. Until recently Mr.. Brewster had a
contract with nearly all the pearl divers OF
the Gulf, and controlled the business. 1t is
now mostly in the hands of the Mendozas
and Hidalgos of La Paz Mexican merchants Of
wealth and experience. The pearl is found
as far north as Molege, and to the south
as lar as Cape San Lucas. The best ground
however, is off Cape Palmo, about
100 miles to the northward of Cape San
Lucas. Here during the fishing season can
be seen along the shore, sheltered by the
high bluff of Cape Palmo, innumerable white
tents. the camps OF the pearl divers. They
congregate here with their small vessels OF
from ten to twenty tons burden, sometimes
in fleets of thirty or more. They live on the
shore during the night, and put off for the
fishing banks. which are only few miles
distant-less than ten-from the Cape, with
the rising Of the sun. Their appliances are
lew diving armor, such as Is used by all
submarine divers, connected by tubing with
set of air-fOrce pumps, worked by a crank
and balance wheel two men who supply
the power, and a third who is held in readil
...Na l..1 tl,
the shells in is placed upon his back, ant
the diver is ready to descend the rope ladder
that leads from the stern of the vessel to the
bottom. When his basket il full OF shells
he gives a signal and is hoisted by an auxl
iary rope to the surface. The basket is re
moved, and the diver relieved from the heavy
weight Of his copper helmet. and allowed t.
breathe the fresh air again. The mother o
pearls are emptied into the hold OF the yes
sci, and the operation is repeated until dark
when the fleet sails for their camp. Th
shells are then spread on the beach to Opel
by the action OF the sun, the object being T.
avoid injury to the pearls, should there b
any, which is liable to happen in openinI
them fOrcibly. But it also has its disadvan
tages, as the pearl frequently becomes tinge,
and is allowed to die in the sun The fines
and largest pearls are found in the deepes
water, from fifteen to twenty fathoms
Pearl diving in less than seven iathoms
prohibited by the Mexican law, for perio
of five years, to prevent the more shallowe
beds from becoming exhausted.
BLACK PEARLS.
The black pearl il found in tho oOnch
ndore, dark colored sIecie of the mothe
of pearl, and also in the Arblona, or, mol
properly. the Auion, II beautiful single she
of yaregated hues, which is found in sha
low water, attached TO rocks. This she
il greatly admired, and is manufacture
into innumerabls ornaments, like ha
buckles, pins ur,the hair coverings ofpocke
books parasol handles, etc. Black pearls
Il fine quality are also gotten from the mu
| l., II ha a . th, utri nl In,