At
the Pearl Islands, near the Isthmus of Panama, the pearl fisheries
have, within a few years past, become a lucrative business to many of
the inhabitants. The divers use more simple methods than those we have
mentioned, for collecting the pearl oysters: they traverse the bay in
canoes that hold eight men, all of whom dive naked into the water, from
eight to ten fathoms deep, where they remain about two minutes, during
which time they collect all they can with their hands, and dexterously
rise to-deposit them in their canoe, repeating the operation for
several hours.
In
Sweden, the pearl oyster is caught with a pair of long -tongs. The
fishermen are in small boats, painted white on the bottom, which
reflects the light to a great depth, and as soon as they perceive them
passing underÂneath they seize the oyster.
Pearls are esteemed according to their size, form, color, and lustre; the largest, of the size of a small walnut, ai-e
called paragons, which are very rare; those the size of a cherry, are
found more frequently, but still are rare; they are the diadem or head
pearls. They receive names, also, according to their form, whether
quite round, semi-circular, and drum-form, or that of an ear-drop,
pear, onion, or as they are otherwise irregularly shaped. The small
pearls are called ounce pearls, on account of being sold by weight, and
the very smallest, seed pearls. Those of a brilliant white color, or
white water, are most sought for in Europe; those of a yellowish color
in some parts of Asia; and some of a lead color, or those of a jet
black, are preferred among some nations. They all turn more or less
yellow with age, and to restore the white color, they are either baked
in bread, rubbed with boiled salted rice, or kept for a short time in
the gastric juice of fresh-killed chickens.
Pearls are sold by weight—troy weight; but the penny-
