PEARLS AND PEARL FISHERIES. 
421 
paper from Tennessee alludes to the value of the shells for pearl buttons as a reason 
for protection, and 2 others from the same State advocate a limitation as to not 
opening young shells. A Texas paper expresses the belief that “it would give gen- 
eral satisfaction to all the land-owners on the stream on which the shells are found.” 
This plainly alludes to the trespassing by pearl-hunters on farm lands along the 
streams as a source of annoyance to proprietors. 
The general conclusions most clearly brought out may perhaps be summed up as 
follows : The shells are most abundant in swift and clear water, where the bottom is 
sandy or gravelly and the country rock calcareous. While still numerous in many 
streams, they have greatly diminished within a few years past, wherever the pearl- 
hunting enterprise has extended, and are at some points nearly exterminated. The 
pearls found are few, and those of marketable value represent the destruction of 
thousands of shells for every pearl obtained. ISTo use is made of this often beautiful 
material, which is simply thrown away and lost, although for buttons and ornamental 
articles it would be admirable. The methods of gathering the shells and extracting 
the pearls are the simplest and most primitive, and the activity of a few seasons 
generally exhausts -the beds. 
This state of affairs is one that calls loudly for reform. The wealth of Unios 
that fills our rivers and streams is rapidly being destroyed by ignorant and wasteful 
methods of pearl-hunting, and either some form of protection is important, or, if 
that be not possible, a wide diffusion of information as to better methods, and 
particularly the introduction of the tools used in Germany for opening Unios far 
enough to see if there are pearls contained, without destroying the animal, which 
may then be returned to the water. 
The whole question is curiously suggestive of the similar conditions in respect to 
forestry and lumbering; the apparently inexhaustible natural supply; the reckless 
prodigality and waste of such resources by man; the rapid diminution and impending 
extinction which it would require years of care and labor to restore; the foresight 
and remonstrance of the few and the indifference or opposition of the many, as to 
any limitation or protection designed to preserve the natural resources; and the ease 
with which they could be preserved by a few simple and intelligent modes of manage- 
ment once established and made familiar to the people; and the pressing importance 
of some such action in place of the post nos diluvium policy at present prevailing. 
The question of legislation in such matters is always very difficult, both in pro- 
curing and enforcing any restrictions. But it would be most desirable to impose 
some limitations to prevent the wholesale destruction that is now carried on. Such 
limitations should aim to prevent the taking of young shells at any time, and establish 
“closed seasons” occasionally, when the Unios should have a chance to remain undis- 
turbed. Of great importance, also, would be the description and explanation of the 
opening-tools that are used abroad, and the inculcation of their use upon pearl-hunters 
in this country, so as to avoid needless destruction. 
