VII] PEARL FISHERIES OF OTHER LANDS 91 



In America the fishery for fresh-water pearls is 

 of greater importance, the value of pearls and shell 

 together for 1905 being about £200,000. The fishery 

 elates back to the time of the ancient inhabitants 

 and remains of the shells are found in Indian mounds. 

 The modern fishery was stimulated into growth in 

 185/ by the finding of a very fine pearl weighing 

 93 grains at Notch Brook near Paterson (New Jersey). 

 It was sold to the Empress Eugenie for 12,500 francs. 



The news of this discovery had an effect, similar 

 on a small scale, to the discovery of gold. The 

 American pearl mussels are found in rivers over 

 a very wide area of the States and Canada. For 

 further information reference should be made to 

 the literature of American writers who have treated 

 this subject in considerable detail. 



CHAPTER VIII 



THE ORIGIN OF PEARLS 



Whatever be the cause of pearl formation in the 

 different molluscs in which pearls are found, they are 

 always pathological products. It may seem strange 

 that the beautiful gems now so much in demand 



