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THE PEARL
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those
found to be without pearls are thrown back into the sea, but it is
doubtful if the general use would be practical or advantageous while
oysters remain abundant; so far, the use of it has been experimental
only.
Fine
pearls are found in Dutch India among the Molucca Islands. Fishing is
done by the natives, and as they seldom go deeper than ten or twelve
feet the probability is that they do not get the finest shells or
pearls, for it seems to be quite well established that the shells taken
from deep water are larger and more likely to contain large pearls.
Whether this arises from deep water being more favorable to growth, or
an unmolested opportunity to grow, has not been determined.
Hitherto
the Netherlands Indian government has opposed encroachment upon the
rights of the natives and colonists, and has patrolled the waters with
small gunboats to prevent any attempt by Europeans to fish. But lately
concessions have been made to British firms so that shell is being
shipped direct to London, and it is now thought that these fisheries
will soon rival the Australian. The pearls were
232
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