CHAPTER XXIII. 

 Ax INTERESTING EXHIBIT OF PEARLS. 



AS pearl hunters and others interested in pearls 

 welcome information regarding these precious 

 gems, the exhibit of pearls in the Field Mu- 

 seum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, is herein de- 

 scribed. The collection of gems that during the World's 

 Columbian Exposition drew so many to the Tiffany pavil- 

 ion in the Manufactures Building, and to the gallery of 

 the Mines and Mining Building, now occupies the central 

 cases in Higinbotham Hall in the Field Museum. 



The entire collection comprises a large variety of gems 

 and precious stones, and is one of the most complete 

 collections in existence. Many of the objects are of un- 

 usual interest and international reputation 



The large variety of pearls in this collection is espe- 

 cially interesting. Here are found choice pearls from 

 the various important pearl fisheries of the world care- 

 fully described so the visitor may make a thorough study 

 of them. One case contains very valuable collections of 

 pearls from Japan, Australia, Algiers, Singapore and Cali- 

 fornia, and also pearl oyster shells, fresh-water mussels 

 and other articles of interest. 



Another case, which is divided into three sections, 

 contains a valuable collection of Indian jewelry, illus- 



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