TJie Southern Cross Pearl, 30 1 



It consists of a group of nine Pearls, naturally 

 grown together in so regular a manner, as to 

 form an almost perfect Latin Cross. Seven Pearls 



FIG. II.-THE GREAT SOUTHERN CROSS PEARL. 



compose the shaft, which measures an inch-and-a- 

 half in length, while the two arms of the cross are 

 formed by one Pearl on each side, almost opposite 

 to the second Pearl, reckoning from the top down- 

 wards. The component Pearls are of fine orient, 

 and would be of good shape were it not that by 

 mutual compression during growth, they have be- 

 come slightly flattened on their opposed sides, while 

 some of them, though round in front, are distorted 

 into drop shapes at the back. 



For the following account of the discovery of 

 this remarkable Cross, the author is indebted to Mr. 

 F. H. Cheesewright, by whom the Pearl was brought 

 to this country : — " I learn from the Hon. Maitland 



