The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-04
PARASITES THEIR Parents.
True Origin Of Pearls and Other Facts
About These Gems-A Scien.
lists Investigations.

NUSUAL interest attaches TO pearls
~ Just now, and for two reasons. One
Is because arhiters of fashion conf
IDENTIFY predict that they will be worn more
tnan ever during the coming season, and
the other Is because the true nature and
genesis OF pearls have just been revealed
fcr the first time. Everyone knows that
genuine pearls are formed in shells Of yari-
GUS mollusks, but until now no satisfactory
explanation has been forthcoming as to
why they are found IN the shells of some
nsh and not In those OF others. Are the
peafi-bearing FISH better fed and healthier
IMAM the others. or. on the contrary, are
they sickly and are their precious con-
tents as much a manifestation of disease
as Is govt In a human being? These ques-
tons have long been asked, but only now
are they answered. Plny attributed to
pearls divine origin. while naturalists
have for long time regarded them as
deposits of mother OF pearl that have
gathered round the debris introduced ac-
cldentally between the fish and its shell.
Al. Charles Diguet has at last solved
this difficult problem. He has for several
months been studying the subject In Cali
fornia, and In report which he has just
made TO the French National Society of
Agriculture and Fisheries he clearly ex-
piains the manner in which true pearls
are formed. To poetical souls his expla-
nation may prove somewhat of shock.
but to naturalists It win prove decidedly
welcome.
Ia the first place. NJ. pIsue, points gu.
that true pearls must not be COMPOUNDED
wish those pearls which are formed by
deposits OF mother OF pearl. The latter,
which have no commercial value. may be
distinguished by the fact that they are
formed on the envelope or mantle sur
rounding the fish, whereas the true pearl
is formed inside the fish itself! Further
more, the true pearl, unlike the former,
I've. 4trrt &tW. I'D ~
formation In sort OF closed pocket. which
increases in size until the pearl attains
its mature stage.
Numerous experiments made by NJ. Dr.
guct show that the evolution of the true
pearl may be divided into three stages:
FIRST, there is liquid. which gradually
becomes gelatinous through condensation
OF the elements with which It is satur-
ated, and finally there is a state of cal
cifeation which. when complete, consti-
tntes the pearl. During the first stage
one notices n sort Of envelope, hlled with
liquid which Is probably due to the ac-
tfon OF some parasite that has introduced
Itself into the tissues and has caused
strong irritation. Other naturalists be-
sides NJ Diguet have long held that para
sites were. so to speak, the parents OF
pearls.
During the second stage the liquid sub
stance gradually acquires the consistency
formed into a substance analogous to
that of the shell itself. BY means OF
special mechanism the mass then be-
comes divided into series OF concentric
beds more or less regular and having be-
tween them assures. which are gradually
filled with a crystalilzed calcareous de-
post. During the third and final stage
the work OF Qualification goes on. II can
best be described as a sort of fnerusta-
ton, which takes place In consequence
OF the disappearance Of organic matter.
During Its entire evolution the pearl re-
mains in an envelope which, during the
process OF Qualification, becomes so worn
that at the least effort Of the fish II
bursts. and the pearl IL freed
The shellfsh In which most OF the
pearls are found Is known as the pearl
oyster. II resembles the Marennes oys-
ter, its shell being very thick and being
closed, not after the manner OF an ordi-
nary oyster. but by series OF horny
hbers. These oysters are found In large
quantities at a certain depth In the Per-
sian gulf. ON the coast OF Ceylon. In the
Red sea, and the CULTS of Panama and
Mexico. as well as along the coast OF
California
NJ. Dixuet gives an interesting account
OF the manner in which this work is done.
A number OF men. he says. are seated
beside "A low table, and near each of them
Is a pile Of pearl oysters. In front
stand oVerseers, who never take their
eyes from the workers. Not n word Ia
spoken: not a single unnecessary move
ment is allowed. Pearls are SO small and
so valuable that 81 seems. extreme pre-
cautions OF this Kind must be taken TO
guard against their being stolen.
The workers open the shells with
knives. then tear out the Ash and squeeze
them to find II they contain pearls. The
debris ia then passed TO other workers,
who make a second search. The shells
meanwhile are freed from seaweed and
other impurities and are placed in bag.
| The remains OF the Ash, after they have
| been subjected TO a third searching ex-
animation. are laid In heap. When the
days work Is ever they are taken away
and cooked. The pearls, MS they are
| found. are placed in cases according to
| their size,
True pearls are found in other she'll
| fish hTside the pearl oyster. There are
oysters In England. Scandinavia and the
| Pvrenees IN which some beautiful pearls
| have been found. The pearl oyster
| however. is par excellence the home Of
a. frss.