CHAPTER X. 



How TO PROSPECT FOR PEARLS. 



THE investigation of a part or all of a certain river 

 is now known as "prospecting for pearls.' 

 In many occupations which are dependent upon 

 the natural resources of a country, it has been found that 

 there is a great diversity in the natural resources in vari- 

 ous places. In this respect, what is true in regard to the 

 various kinds of mineral resources is also true of pearls. 

 In order to do successful prospecting for gold, silver, 

 copper, lead, etc., it is first necessary to secure a knowl- 

 edge of the circumstances and conditions under which 

 the various minerals are found, and it is equally neces- 

 essary to have good preparatory knowledge in order to 

 be successful in prospecting for pearls. 



In many instances there has been a total lack of sys- 

 tem in the manner of selecting pearl fisheries. 



The purpose of this chapter is to assist beginners in 

 the very important task of selecting the most profitable 

 place for their work. 



As pearls are only found in the mollusks it is very 

 necessary to know just what conditions are most favor- 

 able for the growth of the fresh-water mussels. These 

 are found in nearly all of our streams, yet they are more 

 plentiful in some places than in others. The streams 



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