200 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



1874. This remarkable pearl, or more correctly group of pearls, was brought to 

 London and exhibited in the Western Australian Courts of the Colonial and Indian 

 Exhibition of the year 1886, the value there placed upon it by the company to 

 whom it then belonged being no less than 10,000. The opportunity of its advent 

 to London was utilised for a most critical examination at the hands of experts 

 to discover whether or not this product was a genuine lusus naturae, or the 

 outcome of a more or less assisted artificial combination. The gem, however, 

 withstood the severest tests applied, and it emerged from the ordeal with the 

 added lustre of high scientific testimony as to its bond fides. 



A purchaser of the " Southern Cross " at the above price was not forth- 

 coming, and it still remains in the hands of a Western Australian Syndicate, 

 from whom it may yet be bought at a very material reduction upon the fancy 

 sum originally placed upon it. While in Western Australia the author enjoyed 

 the privilege of the possession of this wondrous Cross for two whole days and 

 nights, in order that he might examine and immortalise it with his camera. The 

 responsibility of sleeping with a gem under one's pillow for the loss of which damages 

 to the extent of 10,000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Through an accidental fall 



way to dissent from the ver- -^^^^^^^^^B art i cu i at } onS) leaves little 



.]; _i _ ,! 1 THE " SOUTHERN CROSS " PEARL. NATURAL SIZE. 



diet previously pronounced. or no room for scepticism. 



The Cross, in its entirety, consists of what may be defined as nine amalgamated 

 pearls, seven of which constitute the main shaft, and the remaining two, disposed 

 laterally and almost, but not quite, symmetrically on opposite sides of the second 

 pearl in the central row, represent the arms. The superficial likeness in size and 

 contour of the central shaft, regarded separately, to a row of plump, closely-adpressed 



