304 Pearls. 



mammal. Yet it was soon found that this para- 

 doxical creature was no manufactured monster, but 

 a veritable product of the great island-continent, — • 

 a curious union of bird and beast, which in our 

 limited knowledge we might be led to regard as a 

 strange "freak of nature." 



In somewhat like manner, the great Southern 

 Cross Pearl might be regarded on a cursory view, 

 as having been manufactured by art, or at least 

 improved artificially. The author was therefore 

 anxious to submit it to severe scrutiny, and was 

 indebted for an opportunity of doing so to the 

 courtesy of Mr. A. F. Thompson, of the West- 

 Australian Court. On the 29th of July, 1886, the 

 Cross was exhibited, with a collection of choice 

 diamonds and other objects of value, at 18, New 

 Bond Street. A large number of scientific and literary 

 men, with many Colonists and Indians, availed them- 

 selves of the invitations which had been sent to 

 them, to inspect this strange curiosity. In order 

 that the fullest opportunity might be given for a 

 thorough examination, the Pearl was freely handled 

 by the visitors ; and to make the scrutiny more 

 severe, a powerful lime-light was projected on to the 

 Cross, while magnifying glasses of high power were 

 provided to assist in the criticism. Under these 

 circumstances of strong illumination and close 



