Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-07-16

gulf, Columbus and those who followed In his
wake often found uncivilized natives wearing
pearls Of great value. Indeed. so many pearls
were found OF the Venezuelan coast that cary
explorers gave the name of "El Gulfo De Las
Perlas" to certain waters where the pearls sp
peared to be plentiful.
Today the pearl fisheries Of Margarita island.
OF the Venezuelan coast, become active each au'
tumn. when hundreds Of small boats present .
scene not unlike that of the pearl season OF Cali
fornia or 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 q recent year about $4,000 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 dim
culties 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 fish,
ing boat party expects to secure several tons OF
shells day, and possibly one shell In q thousand
contains a pearl. The Mexican waters In which
fishing Is done are from 80 to SO feet deep, and
the fleet Is active four to six months In the year.
beginning operations in the autumn. A pearng
expedition as equipped for the Mexican waters
often costs $4,000 to $4,000 to outfit. and pos
sibly at the end of the season the catch may not
be worth half the amount expended. But II no
mishap occurs to any OF the little vessels the
supply of motherof-pearl shells obtained should
be Of sufficient value to repay the general out
fitting expenses.
One of the allied industries of pearl fishing Is
that of obtaining valuable Shells which we know
as mother-ofpearl. The latter found gener
ally 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 ma
creous lining of the moluscan she'll" This SHE'LL
as is well known, is in general use in our homes.
where 1t is highly priced for toilet articles. for
handles to knives. for buttons. and countless
other services where . high polish and lasting
qualities are desired. The monks and other in
habitants of Bethlehem said to be among the
worlds 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 in other countries
est means. Today in world markets of London,
Bombay. Paris or La Paz the pearl is selling for
about half its ordinary value
It is said that pearls from waters of the Amer.
icas are to be seen in the crowns of most Euro