Kleopatra’s famous pearls no doubt came from the Red Sea fisheries which are believed to have been the property of the Egyptian rulers. The Western Australian fisheries, especially those at Broome and Shark’s Bay, are yearly becoming of greater importance and value, although judicious and scientific means should be taken to prevent these valuable fields from sharing the fate of some of the older ones. The fisheries at Thursday Island and Northern Australia are important and the author was told that pearls were discovered in New Guinea through a sailors’ row with the natives, who pelted the offending lugger with pearl-bearing shells which, when broken on the decks of the vessel, revealed their precious prizes. The remarkable Town of the Nymphs near the Japanese city of Ishinomonsky on the Pacific coast, obtains its name from the women who support their families by diving for pearls. It is a place of many centuries old and the nymphs begin their strenuous work at the age of 14, continuing until they are 40. Pearl shells abound in Sebiam Bay and the work of the nymphs occupy 10 hours a day in summer time. The length of each immersion is from 2 to 3 minutes. When the baby girl is four years of age she is taken to the sea and taught to swim and dive. These lessons continue until the time comes for the serious practice of the pearl seekers’ profession. This work is all done by women whilst the men attend to the training of the children and the duties of the household. Mention may also be made of the River fisheries of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and various parts of Europe where the pearls found are as a rule not of great importance, although it is stated that Sir Richard Wynn of Gwydyr, Chamberlain to Catherine, wife of Charles II, sent a pearl from the river Conway in North Wales as a present to the Queen, which pearl is today in the King of England’s crown. In Wales these river pearl shells are called by the poetic name Cregin y Dylu, shells of the Flood. The gradual replacement of naked divers by those in diving dress may tend to make the yields more effective, but the work is not without its dangers, the toiler beneath the sea having still to meet the challenge of its denizens—the shark, the diamond fish and the deadly octopus. “_The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls._” BOOK OF MATTHEW. The pearl was esteemed as the emblem of purity, innocence and peace, and was sacred to the Moon and Diana. For this reason in ancient times it was worn by young girls and virgins on whom the protection of “chaste Diana” was invoked. Generally as an emblem of chastity the pearl was worn on the neck. As a cure for irritability it was ground to a fine powder and a quantity, seldom more than a grain, was drunk in new milk. In doses of the same quantity mixed with sugar it was recommended to be taken as a charm against the pestilence.