CONTENTS. 



PAGES. 



PREFACE IX— xvi. 



CHAPTER I. — Introductory 17 — 22 



CHAPTER II.— Historical 23—47 



India. — China. — Persia. — Palestine. — 

 Eg}'pt. — Greece, — Italy. — Europe in the 

 Middle Ages and later. 



CHAPTER III.— Ancient Ideas on the 



Origin and Virtues of Pearls 48 — 70 

 Their Medicinal Qualities. — Breeding Pearls. 



CHAPTER IV. — Pearl-Bearers — Marine 



AND Fresh-Water 71 — 81 



CHAPTER v.— Mothkr-of-Pearl Shell... 82—106 



CHAPTER VI.— The Origin and Formation 



OF Pearls 107 — 126 



CHAPTER VII.— The Sooloo Archipelago 127—143 



CHAPTER VIII.— The North-West 



Australian Fishery 144 — 163 



CHAPTER IX— The Torres Straits Fishery 164—167 



CHAPTER X. — Pearling -Life at the 



Present Day 168-185 



CHAPTER XI. — Ceylon Pearl Fisheries... 186 — 209 

 The Experience of Mr. Streeter's Agent 

 at the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries. 



The Pearl Fishery of 



Southern India 209 — 212 



