Pearls

Originally published during the early part of the twentieth century, the Cambridge Manuals of Science and Literature were designed to provide concise introductions to a broad range of topics. They were written by experts for the general reader and combined a comprehensive approach to knowledge with an emphasis on accessibility. Pearls by W. J. Dakin was first published in 1913. The book presents a biologically-focused summary of the key facts regarding pearls, pearl fishing and pearl formation.

Preface; 1. The history of pearls; 2. Where pearls are found; 3. The anatomy of the pearl oyster and the structure of its shell; 4. The life history of the pearl oyster, and the conditions under which it lives; 5. Pearls; 6. A Ceylon pearl fishery; 7. Pearl fisheries of other lands; 8. The origin of pearls; 9. Pearls in jewellery and trade, odd facts; 10. The pearl oyster, the trader, and the scientist; Bibliography; Glossary; Index.