254 The Philippine Journal of Science 1916 



ima Jameson as described in the accompanying paper, I request 

 the special permission of the Government for the following two 

 items : 



1. To fish one thousand five hundred young Margaritifera 

 maxima Jameson of less than the standard size. 



2. To keep the operated Margaritifera maxima in the sea as 

 indicated in the accompanying chart * and to close this area for 

 moUuscan fishery. 



AMOUNT AND VALUE OF PEARL SHELLS EXPORTED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF 

 MINDANAO AND SULU 



During the year 1913 ^ 296,726 kilograms of gold-lip pearl 

 shells, valued at 329,140 pesos, were exported from Jolo, and for 

 the same period 4,068 kilograms, valued at 20,358 pesos, were 

 exported from Zamboanga, a total from the Department of 

 Mindanao and Sulu for 1913 of 300,794 kilograms, valued at 

 349,498 pesos. In 1907 the amount of these shells exported 

 from Moro Province was 189,720 kilograms valued at 164,399 

 pesos. There is no record to show the value of the pearls taken, 

 but I have been informed on reliable authority that more than 

 1,000,000 pesos were handled by the local banks in payment for 

 pearls in 1913. During three months (June to August, 1914) 

 of my inspection trip I examined eight pearls taken during that 

 period, the total value of which was 20,000 pesos. In addition, 

 many small pearls were secured. It is well known that the 

 Philippine beds yield a far greater percentage of pearls than 

 the Australian or Celebes fisheries, but as no accurate records 

 are kept regarding their number or value, it is obviously im- 

 possible to give more than this rough estimate. 



In addition to numerous local dealers in pearls, there are three 

 pearl buyers from Paris who make their headquarters in Jolo. 

 All seem to be doing a reasonably good business. 



The price of pearl shells at the present time is from 60 to 90 

 pesos per picul,« depending on the grade. 



THE PEARLING FLEET 



In 1914, when I attempted to prepare a detailed list of the 

 pearling boats, I found that several official lists were kept. The 

 two most important of these are in the hands of the treasurer 



* No copy of the chart was furnished with the manuscript. — Editor. 

 " From reports kindly furnished by the Collector of Customs at Jolo and 

 at Zamboanga. 



' One picul equals 63.25 kilograms. 



