PEARLS AND PEARL FISHERIES. 
403 
INVESTIGATION BY THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
In view of the great interest and possible importance of the discoveries from time 
to time made in various parts of the United States, and particularly in the Mississippi 
Valley, of pearls yielded by the fresh-water bivalve shells ( Unionidce ) so abundant in 
many of our inland waters, a systematic inquiry was undertaken in 1894 by the United 
States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, to ascertain as far as possible the facts 
relating to the occurrence and distribution of the pearl-bearing species and the extent 
and conduct of the pearl industry as thus far developed. The value and elegance of 
many of these pearls, especially as shown in exhibits made at the Columbian Exposi 
tion in 1893; the popular excitements or “pearl fevers” at times arising in districts 
where a few pearls have been found, and characterized by wholesale and reckless 
destruction of the shells over large areas ; the total lack of system in the search for 
pearls, as contrasted with the methods that have been developed on a smaller but 
far more profitable scale in Europe, all seemed to call for a careful investigation by 
the Commission, with a view to better knowledge and wiser direction in the matter of 
inland American pearl fisheries. 
To this end a circular was prepared and issued in 1895, comprising a series of 
thirty inquiries relating to the habits and distribution of the shells, the frequency 
and value of pearls obtained from them, the methods and extent of the industry, and 
various related points. This circular was sent out to several hundred persons in all 
parts of the country east of the Bocky Mountains, who could be heard ot as at all 
likely to feel interest or possess experience relating to the subject. The circular called 
for information on the following special points: 
The pearl-bearing mussels: 
1. Nature of stream in which found; kind of bottom; character of water. 
2. Geological character of the district as to rock, soil, etc. 
3. General abundance of mussels. 
4. Size, shape, and position of the mussel-beds. 
5. Local names of mussels. 
6. Habits of mussels. 
7. Enemies and fatalities to which mussels are exposed; nature and extent of destruction by 
muskrats, hogs, freshets, etc. 
8. Size, shape, and color of mussels. 
9. Species of mussels in which pearls are most common. 
10. Proportion of mussels in which pearls occur. 
11. Sizes, or other peculiarities, of shells in which pearls are found. 
The pearls : 
12. Nature and origin of pearls. 
13. Position in mussel. 
14. Size, shape, and color of pearls. 
15. Relative value of pearls in different sizes, shapes, and colors. 
16. Markets for pearls. 
17. Prices for pearls. 
