How TO PROSPECT FOR PEARLS 101 



are in the centers of large rivers, but more often are 

 upon shoals or connected with islands or bars. Very 

 often the beds are in a portion of the river where they 

 are somewhat protected from the full force of strong cur- 

 rents in the swift rivers, and in the quiet rivers they are 

 often found in the parts where the current is strongest. 

 They seem to thrive best where the river bottom is 

 sandy and gravelly, and where the water is moderately 

 deep and the flow is free and gentle. 



In swift rivers the islands are a good protection for 

 the mussels. They may be found on all sides of an 

 island, but are more likely to thrive in the rather quiet 

 water between the island and the nearest shore, and be- 

 low the island. This is a very favorable condition which 

 makes an excellent pearl fishery in many instances. 



The beds that are located in rocky or sandy places are 

 the most likely to produce pearls, baroques and slugs. 



The size and color of the shells are an indication as to 

 the size and color of the pearls, baroques and slugs. The 

 very largest shells produce the largest pearls, while the 

 smallest shells produce small pearls and never yield 

 large ones. The color of the pearl is the same as that 

 portion of the shell nearest to it when found. Practi- 

 cally all fine pearls are found in the posterior or thin end 

 of the shell, and as that portion of the shell is often 

 brilliant, the pearl has a better luster than the other parts 

 of the shell. 



In some instances it is desirable to know if a portion 

 of a river has a sandy bottom. Some pearl hunters use 

 a convenient method of getting this information. A 



