Xll. 



fluviatile, are described ; and attention is then directed 

 to the composition and physical properties, first of 

 Mother-of-Pearl, and afterwards of the Pearl itself. 

 The opinions of modern authorities are freely quoted, 

 and it is hoped that my views may contribute in 

 some measure to the elucidation of the vexed 

 question of the formation of Pearls. 



The principal localities producing Pearls are next 

 given, the description commencing with the Sooloo 

 Archipelago, and proceeding thence to the fisheries 

 off" the coast of North-Western Australia and in 

 Torres Straits. For several years I have had a fleet 

 engaged in Pearl-fishing in these regions, and I have 

 consequently been able to introduce a considerable 

 amount of information which has never before been 

 published. 



Few have any idea of the many dangers and 

 difficulties experienced by pearlers, and by those 

 engaged in the trade of collecting Pearls and Pearl- 

 shell. I was horrified to notice in The Times of 

 the 2nd November, the following paragraph : — 



MURDER OF PEARL DIVERS. 



MELBOURNE, Nov. i 

 Captain Craig, of the ketch Emily, and a party of 

 pearl divers, of whom two were Englishmen and six 

 Malays, have been murdered at Johannes Island, near 

 New Guinea. 



The troubles of the Pearl-seeker are not confined, 



