THE PHILIPPINE 



Journal of Science 



D. Ethnology, Anthropology, and 

 General Biology 



Vol. V JULY, 1910 Xo. 3 



THE FISHERY RESOURCES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 

 PART III, PEARLS AND PEARL FISHERIES. > 



By Alvin Seale. 



(From the Sevtion of Fisheries, Biological Laboratory, Burea^u of Science, Manila, 



P. I.) 



INTRODUCTION. 



During the past ten years the writer has been engaged, as time would 

 permit, in making a study of pearls and pearl fisheries. In 1900, a 

 year was spent in the fisheries of Paumota and Gambier Islands and in 

 190? the fisheries of Australia and the Solomon Islands were visited; 

 during the past year considerable time was given to a study of the pearling 

 grounds of the Philippine Islands. 



So far as possible, a careful study has been made of the development, 

 life history and habits of the pearl oyster, chiefly with the view of 

 increasing its value as a commercial asset. Experiments relating to pearl 

 growth, development and culture have been inaugurated; and a large 

 number of both hard and soft sections through pearls from various loca- 

 lities have been made in order to throw additional light on the direct cause 

 of their origin and gi'owth. 



The object of the present paper is to give the results of these observa- 

 tions and a general review of our present knowledge of the subject, with 

 the hope that such results may lead to increased interest in the Philippine 

 pearl fisheries and to their greater development. 



'Part I of this series appeared in This Journal Sec. A (1908), 3, 513; Part II, 

 Ibid. (1909), 4, 57. 



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