PEARLS - THE TREASURE TROVE OF THE SEA The chief pearling-grounds of the ancients were India and the Persian Gulf, but today the most valuable species of pearl-oyster (the Golden or Silver-lip) are found in Australian waters. The pioneer of Australian pearling was an American sailor. Tays, who settled at Nickol Bay, W. Australia, in 1861, and employed native divers until all shells within their diving limit of about 50ft depth had been gathered. Diving-dress then became essential, and we show a diver at work on the sea bed. Inset is the "Southern Cross", a remarkable specimen found at Baldwin, W. Australia in 1883.