Copyright, 1908, by

The Century Co.

Published October, 1908

THE DE VINNE PRESS

TO

MARGARET, THE PEARL

AS A SLIGHT MARK OF APPRECIATION BY THE AUTHORS OF HER FATHER’S GENEROUS ENCOURAGEMENT OF SCIENCE, ART, ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, AND LITERATURE

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
Introduction[xv]
IPearls among the Ancients[3]
IIMedieval and Modern History of Pearls[15]
IIIOrigin of Pearls[35]
IVStructure and Forms of Pearls[51]
VSources of Pearls[65]
VIThe Pearl Fisheries of the Persian Gulf[85]
VIIEast African Pearl Fisheries[153]
VIIIPearl Fisheries of the British Isles[159]
IXPearl Fisheries of the South Sea Islands[189]
XPearl Fisheries of Venezuela[225]
XIPearl-Culture and Pearl-Farming[285]
XIIMystical and Medicinal Properties of Pearls[301]
XIIIValues and Commerce of Pearls[319]
XIVTreatment and Care of Pearls[375]
XVPearls as Used in Ornaments and Decoration[403]
XVIFamous Pearls and Collections[449]
XVIIThe Aboriginal Use of Pearls, and Their Discovery in Mounds and Graves[485]
Bibliography[517]
Index[541]