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THE BOOK OF THE PEARL
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the
pearls of Scotland in color, size, and luster. A story is told of a
fisherman who by chance found in one shell two well-matched pearls,
which he later sold for $150; so pleased was he with his success that
he spent a fortnight in diligent search, but secured only half a dozen
small ones, worth perhaps $3 for the lot. Most of these pearls are
silvery white, but beautiful pink ones are not rare. An unusually
choice 20-grain pearl from this region sold in 1905 for $1000.
On
the coast of Ecuador, pearl fisheries of minor importance have been
prosecuted from time to time. Dr. H. M. Saville, of the American
Museum of Natural History, states that in his explorations in that
country he frequently came across evidence of pearls and the
information that fisheries had existed on the coast centuries ago.
An
interesting letter from that world-wide traveler and interesting
writer, William E. Curtis, states that formerly there was a pearl
fishery on the coast of Ecuador at the little town known as Manta, in
the Province of Manabi ; but it had to be abandoned on account of a
particularly voracious species of fish called el manti, which
abounds in that locality and gives the place its name. Pearls are said
to be even more abundant at Manta than in Panama Bay. It is reported
that this is the place where the Incas obtained those splendid gems
which the Spaniards found in the palaces and temples of Peru.
In
the waters of Costa Rica, pearl-oysters are found, and at times the
fishery has been of considerable local importance. Owing to fear of
injury to the reefs, the use of diving machinery was interdicted there
a few years ago; but in 1906 its employment was authorized under
certain restrictions. Licenses good for six months were authorized for
a maximum of thirty machines, which may work at a minimum depth of
thirty-seven feet.
On
the coast of Colombia, South America, scattered reefs of pearl-oysters
occur. A lease of the pearl fisheries and those for corals and sponges
was granted July 2, 1906, but it is unknown what results have followed.
This lease lasts five years, beginning August 1, 1906.
There
is almost an absolute paucity of information in regard to the
occurrence of fresh-water pearls in other parts of South America. The
only data we have obtained are from Prof. Eugene Hussak of the Mining
School of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who writes us that some pearls have been
obtained from one of the Bahia rivers. Possibly, when the resources of
the interior of that continent are better known, many pearls may be
found.
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