something
of value has been added to the knowledge of Nature's wonderful and
curious processes whereby through the humblest she makes a jewel fit to
adorn the most beautiful of her creatures—woman.
My
thanks are due Messrs. Combes & Van Roden of Philadelphia for the
loan of the original photographs from which were made the reproductions
of the portraits of Queen Alexandra, The Marchioness of Londonderry,
Countess Torby and Princess Lazareff, which will, I trust, be of great
interest to lovers of pearls: also to Mr. Ludwig Stross for much
valuable information about Oriental pearl fisheries.
W. R. C.