THE ORIGIN OF THE PEARL 27 



of the scientists recorded we are unable to find any who 

 advance the sand or pebble theory. Some admit that 

 this may be the cause of fine pearls in rare instances 

 or that such foreign particles may be the cause of the for- 

 mation of baroques or slugs very frequently, yet practi- 

 cally all of these learned men have returned a verdict in 

 favor of the parasitical origin of fine pearls. The author 

 has also given considerable attention to the origin of 

 pearls, and in his various experiences as a pearl hunter 

 on different rivers, has found a large variety of condi- 

 tions, and he is a firm believer in the parasitical origin of 

 fine pearls in most instances, and in the parasitical origin 

 of baroques and slugs in many instances, although he has 

 found many baroques and slugs which were undoubtedly 

 formations due to accidents in which the shells were 

 broken. 



At present, pearls are being produced artifically by the 

 Japanese. These are called culture pearls. A small por- 

 celain dome is attached to the inside of the shell and 

 cemented in place, this becomes covered with layers of 

 nacre and, when taken from the shell, is joined to an- 

 other dome of mother of pearl and placed upon the mar- 

 ket. These are culture pearls and cannot be sold as real 

 pearls. 



The Chinese have also made some progress in the pro- 

 duction of artificial pearls and their method is similar to 

 that of the Japanese. 



It will be seen that pearls can be formed in several 

 ways, and the old, old problem regarding the origin of 

 the pearl is now almost solved. 



