Of course, every oyster did not produce a pearl; in fact, I have opened as many as a hundred consecutive shells without finding a single pearl.

The gems are hidden away in the fleshy part of the oyster, and have to be removed by pressure of the thumb.

The empty shells are then thrown in a heap on one side, and afterwards carefully stowed away in the hold, as they constitute a valuable cargo in themselves, being worth--at that time, at any rate (1864)--from 200 to 250 pounds, and even 350 pounds a ton.

All the pearls I found I placed in a walnut jewel-case, measuring about fourteen inches by eight inches by six inches.

The value of the treasure increased day by day, until it amounted to many thousands of pounds; but of this more hereafter.