Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-12-12
ARTS IN OYSTERS.
/. -,on OF THE PRECIOUS oEM
\ ~ THE SHE'LL FISH.

u nictufe the aeuaes sliu
.tar a. rising to the surface Of the
"a rink in the dew Of heaven may
" ,s,arded as "a stretch Of the i'm
ION worthy of the most fanciful
~ romances. Yet such was
10 early writers to be the origin I
.arl fiat gem which is deemed
IN deck the brow Of royalty,
adorns fair women, which is the
q he treasure hunter and which |
a1es has been the symbol of beauty, I
n and worth, I
pretty conceit, however IS brushed
4 hv the stern realities Of sober fact.
I'm eve of science has discovered I
H. birth Of a pearl is anything but |
&ical affair. 1t is due to an acct
Eand to one of those provisions Of !
hv which every living creature /
A far foreign attack and seeks to
4 = itself from injury. The oyster
I srriugs into existence in two diff
ways The first is by the intro
En- into the animal OF a foreign sub
In some unguarded moment the
q may permit a minute grain Of
fto sliD into its do1nicile and lodge
ban the flesh and the shell. The
4 is powerless to expel the intrud-
Enbstance. which Immediately be-
a source Of irritation.
sere is but one remedy. The animal
Rs TO cover the grain of sand with a
IN membrane, followed by layer
hcareous matter called nacre. This
$entical with mother-of-pearl, that
Mimi lining of the shell which re-
4 all the colors of the rainbow as
4 as the most delicate and subtle
4 Nacre is constantly exuded from
Ebody of the oyster, the cookie. the
klus, the snail and other animals Of
hollusk order, and forms their outer
Ting. hard or soft, thick or thin, ac-
fng to the protection demanded by
4 Surroundings. Around the intrud-
brain Of sand which has been men
n accumulate alternate layers of
bbrane and nacre until a pearl is
bed
THE MOST VALUED GEMS.
bese pearls, however, are not the
6able gems of commerce, because, in
6rst place, they preserve the form of
brain Of sand, and hence are irregu-
En- shape. and in the second place,
frequently adhere to the shell and
equently present one rough side.
Be perfect pearl is found loose in the
rior of the fish. and has its beginning
b animal germ The oyster annu-
produces a number of eggs, which,
bon as they develop into diminutive
halls, are thrown out Of the mother.
asionally. however, an egg proves
Rive and remains behind. tits almost
&oscopic in size, and is inclosed in "a
rcapsule. This capsule now becomes
d intents and purposes "A foreign sub
Ne. But it has certain powers akin
hose Of the present, one of which is
of manufacturing. throwing out
gathering around itself nacre. The
re completely envelops it, and the
b Of the animal is soon incased in
ntiful prison, usually spherical in
b, but sometimes pear shaped. This
b true pearl.
De most famous pearl fisheries in the
ld are near the coasts of Ceylon.
Mn, Java and Sumatra and in the
kian gulf, although pearls in limited
Entities are obtained in the streams of
ious countries.
HOW THE DIVERS WORK.
hfore the divers begin their work
4e are blessings and magic spells from
ests and sorcerers to drive away the
rks and bring good luck. These in
ltations are Of course roundly paid
!. The boats start out late at night.
that operations may begin at day
BIZ. The divers have small instru-
pts for COMPRISING tine nostIils an /
&wax to stop the apertures in their
y Each one holds a block of stone
ween his feet TO aid his descent.
ping from the boat and plunging be-
81 the waves, the divers reach the
nom, where they run about swiftly
tfll their bags with oysters as quick
y possible. When one Is ready to
hhe gives a signal and is drawn back
rs boat by q rope,
Avers cannot remain in the water
p d minu-e on the average, while two
nutes taxes the most expert. A very
who have stayed under four or five
nntes have won great regulations for
n extraordinary endurance.
~ occupation is injurious to the
Nth, as it requires a tremendous
punt OF eXertion. Divers are short
e. subject to various diseases and
" been known to expire suddenly
on reach uS JA surface Of lie water.
ne popularity of pearls IS that, un-
4 9th " precious gems. they are liable
QecaF. Occasionally a valuable pearl
mgeS color, seems to be attacked with
h''ily disease and crumbles into dust
eh Is repUt-i to have been ne fate OF
Z most magnificent specimen even
own.
EASING through successive hands il
hiiy became the property of Il Rus
Y merchant and found a possessol
" knew its immense value and prizet
accordingly. He kept it carefully il
#ciuded room of his magnificent man
n apart from all other of his treas
n It was the wonder and admira
y OF his favored friends who wer,
4lnltted to look at it. The merchan
ny became involved in politica
RRsplracy and fed to Paris, taking hi
y great treasure with him. He KEEP
Auden for a time, but at last consent
y SHOW 1t to some distinguished low
Oh precious stones. But when h,
%tled the c.asket he fell back in disma,
y staggered as though stricken witt
~ The gem had begun to chang,
IN \ fatal disease had attacked it