The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-06-26

the fisheries OF Ceylon those OF the Persian
gulf, Columbus and those who followed in his
wake often found uncivilized natives wearing
pearls of great value. Indeed, so many pearls
found off the Venezuelan coast that early
explorers gave the name OF Eel Gulfo de las
Peras' to certain waters where the pearls ap
peared to be plentiful.
Today the pearl fisheries OF Margarita island
off the Venezuelan coast. become active each au-
tumn. when hundreds OF small boats present
not unlike that of the pearl season of Cali
forna Ceylon.
Many OF the expert divers Of Venezuela have
engaged themselves to Ecuadorian company
which is developing pearl fishing along the coast
of that country. Near the little port of Mania
the results have proved quite satisfactory and
during recent year about 100000 worth "
pearls shipped to European markets.
About the shores of numerous islands in the
Bay of Panama there pearl fisheries. One OF
these islands. to which the name of Pearl has
been given, has long been supplying pearls OF
greater less value. The work about this and
other islands of Panama bay is carried on like
that of Lower California One of the great diff
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 thousand
contains a pearl The Mexican waters In which
fishing is done from 80 to SO feet deep. and
the fleet is active four to six months In the year
beginning operations in the autumn. A pearing
expedition as equipped for the Mexican waters
often costs $4,000 to $4,000 to outfit. and pos
siby at the end of the season the catch may not
be worth half the amount expended But If no
mishap to any of the little vessels the
supply of mother 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 know
motherof-pearl. The latter found gener-
ally along with the pearl fisheries; and often
when pearls exist within the oyster the shells
themselves may be of considerable value.
Meteorological is defined the internal ma
creous lining of the mouscan she'll" This SHE'LL
as is we'll known is in general use in 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 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
should now be within the reach of those of mod
est means Today In world markets of London
Bombay, Paris La Paz the pearl is selling for
about half its ordinary value
1t is said that pearls from waters Of the Amer.
icas are to be seen in the crowns of mos. Euro