Washington sentinel., 1898-04-09

Ihe history OF pearl Seeking mas
about it so much OF the glamour
OF romance and possible gain that
the difficulties and risks of the
quest are we'll nigh iorg often. Men
love excitement and quick fortune,
and they love pursuit that entails
much danger and much knowledge
OF men and elements. Long be-
fore the Roman conquest, t,menwere
hazarding the dangers of newly
discovered rivers in search Of the
elusive gems; and one of the prime
reasons for undertaking the expe-
dition to Great Britain was to OBJ
tain the fair "congealed tear drops
pierced by sunbeams" which poets
and philosophers in all ages have
made tine emblems Of purity and
worth, and which the Roman
so much coveted. There is
scarcely a sacred literature in eX-
;sss1~s ir4 which PeaFlS do not hear
reverent meaning, and no nation
where place and favor have not
been bought by the beautiful. lus-
trous products OF the sea. But al
though most Of the seas and rivers
Of the world have been tested, and
many Of them have WELDED pearls
in limited quantities, there are few
localities where fisheries have been
prosecuted on a large scale for the
purpose Of commerce. The shores
Of Australia and the Pacific islands
are iavorite grounds, as are the
coral banks of Ceylon and the Per-
sian Gulf. The ancient pearl seek
ers obtained their gems almost
entirely from India and the Persian
Gulf, and the writings of the ear
iiest travellers aIlude to the fisher
les in the Cult OF Manaar, still the
most important in that part Of the
world. One writer OF the twelfth
century refers to eight thousand
boats being engaged there in one
season.
Along the southern extremity
of the Red Sea pearl fishing is a
hourishing industry, and until
within few years the annual pro-
ceeds OF the banks amounted to
nifty thousand dollars or more. OF
late, however, there has been a
falling off in the yield, and native
divers account for the decrease by
referring to the old superstition OF
a "droP Of ram in the oysters
mouth, and say that as but little
rain has fallen in that region for
several years, there are few pearls.
But perhaps a more logical reason
might be found in the agitation of
the water caused by an increased
number of coasting steamers. The
pearl oyster does not like disturb
ance, and is lover of quiet waters
and secluded banks.
Pearl fishing in the Red Sea is
prosecuted on both the African and
Arabian sides, between the small
barren islands, where the water is
but a few fathoms deep. Occa-
sionally the Turkish Government
attempts to control the industry on
the Arabian side, but the natives
are alert and usually evade all in
reference. They are faithful work.
ers during the three months of
their harvest time, but during the
enforced idleness OF the other nine
months often become so indebted
to the native merchants tor sub.
sistence as to be obliged to sell
their output at whatever price they
can get. 1t is said that but very
small proportion OF the pearl har-
vest hnds its way to the outside
world. The natives OF India and
Arabia are inordinatelY fond OF
thSm; the women wear pearl stud.
ded bracelets and anklets, and a
lavish display of pearls on their
hngers and in their ears and noses.
Among the wealthy, boarded coll
lections OF pearls take the place Of
the Government bonds OF their
cousin capitalists across the sea.
Most of the great Indian merchants
reside at Bombay, and for tnis
reason Bombay has become the
principal pearl market of that part
OF the world.
AS yet the origin Of pearls is a
matter of mere speculation. The
old theory that they were "=on-
gealed dew drops pierced by sun
beams" was supported by natural
lists as late as 1854, and is evidenced
in Venetian medal bearing an
open oyster shell receiving drops
OF rain, with the motto, "By the
divine dew" Later conchologists,
however, contend that the pearl
nucleus may be some minute par
ticle, as a grain of sand. or the frus-
tule Of diatom, or tiny parasite,
or perhaps one OF the ova Of the
pearl oyster itself. This particular
or foreign body is gradually sur
rounded by thin layers of nacre
until it is completely encysted and
the pearl formed. The consecu-
tive layers may vary in brightness
and color, and a defect may be
caused by contact with another
foreign substance, thus changing
the value with each new layer and
sometimes causing "lively
kernel" or "seed" to be enclosed
in an apparently poor pearl.
In seeking the "elusive gems"
divers go down altern Ately, so that |
when some come up others are
ready TO descend. This gives the
exhausted an opportunity to recu-
perate for a fresh plunge. To as
sist him IN the descent il is custom
ary tor the diver to attach a stone
to a rope. When ready to go down