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The Southern Cross Pearl. 301
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It
consists of a group of nine Pearls, naturally grown together in so
regular a manner, as to form an almost perfect Latin Cross. Seven Pearls
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FIG. II.—THE GREAT SOUTHERN CROSS PEARL·
compose
the shaft, which measures an inch-and-a-half in length, while the two
arms of the cross are formed by one Pearl on each side, almost opposite
to the second Pearl, reckoning from the top downwards. The component
Pearls are of fine orient, and would be of good shape were it not that
by mutual compression during growth, they have become slightly
flattened on their opposed sides, while some of them, though round in
front, are distorted into drop shapes at the back.
0
For
the following account of the discovery of this remarkable Cross, the
author is indebted to Mr. F. H. Cheesewright, by whom the Pearl was
brought to this country :—" I learn from the Hon. Maitland
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