128 PEARLS [CH. 



is more modern. Strangely enough the commercial 

 success attending the artificial stimulation of nacre 

 formation has been greater than that accompanying 

 the efforts of mollusc rearing. It seems to be very 

 difficult to maintain the natural conditions favourable 

 to growth and breeding, and the success which has 

 attended the cultivation of the edible oyster in parks 

 and other places, has been conspicuous by its absence 

 from pearl oyster culture. 



In recent years Japan has advanced very con- 

 siderably in combining the work of oyster rearing 

 with operative work for the artificial stimulation 

 of pearl production. The work has been cared for 

 by both the scientist and the business man, and con- 

 sists in collecting and cultivating the pearl oysters 

 of Japanese waters, on grounds suitable for them. 

 After the shellfish have reached a suitable size, a 

 bead of mother-of-pearl is introduced in the usual 

 place between the mantle and shell. This, in the 

 course of time, produces a pearl-like body — or culture 

 pearl (Jameson). These culture pearls are not, of 

 course, real pearls, but still, the industry is of such 

 extent as to pay its way. It is hoped to produce real 

 pearls artificially by a modification of the method 

 employed as above. 



Several attempts have been made in x^ustralia to 

 interfere with the normal course of events in the 

 pearl oyster industry. The late Mr Saville-Kent, 



