these fisheries. All pearls are subject to slight variations in weight.
It
was from the fisheries of Colombia that Philip II. of Spain received
the large pearl of 250 carats, about the size and shape of a pigeon's
egg, so often mentioned in the chronicles of precious stones.
The
management of the pearl fisheries of the Colombia of to-day is in the
hands of the central bank of Colombia which is empowered to transact
business pertaining to property belonging to the government. This
institution holds a public auction and awards the lease of the rights
to fish for pearls, coral, etc., on the Colombian coasts of the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, to the most desirable bidder. The lessee
must be governed by the rules and regulations laid down by the bank.
The lease is for five years and went into effect August 1st, 1906.
New
pearl oyster-beds were discovered in 1903 in the Gulf of Campeche near
Coatza-coalcos and application was made by a Mexican to the Mexican
government for a concession to work them. There are extensive beds,
which are constantly fished, along the eastern coast of 16 241
