The Spectator., 1915-06-25

the fisheries of Ceylon or those of the Persian gulf, Columbus and those who followed ln ms wake often found uncivilized natives wearing pearls of great value Indeed, so many pearls were found off the Venezuelan coast that early explorers gave the name of "El Gufo 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 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 recent year about $20O00 worth ot pearls 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 dfi- culties encountered is the heavy tides of this section of the Pacific. which prevent steady work.
 There various other sections of the oceans that supply fine pearls such 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 a thousand contains a pearl. The Mexican waters in which fishing is done from 30 to 50 feet deep. and the fleet is active four to six months in the year. beginning operations in the autumn. pearng expedition as equipped for the Mexican waters often costs $10.000 to s15,000 to outfit. and pos sibly at the end of the season the catch may not be worth half the amount expended. But if no mshap occurs to any of the little vessels the supply of mother-of- pearl shells obtained should be of sufficient value to repay the general out fitting expenses.
 that of obtaining valuable shells, which we know as motherof- pearl The latter are 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.
 Motherof-pearl is defined the internal creous lining of the molluscan shell" This shell as is well known, is in general use in homes where it is highly prized for toilet articles, for handles to knives. for buttons. and countless other services where a 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 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 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