er trembled for his condition, and went away a better
and a more honest man--ten thousand times more improved than if he had
presented a crown of gold to the Virgin Mary.

We are now prepared to enter the valley of Mexico, and examine the
objects that there present themselves.

[26] _Colleccion de Leyes_, p. 180.

[27] "The whole Pacific coast produces pearls, but the most
extensive pearl-fisheries, at the present time, are in the Gulf
of California, where, among an inexhaustible supply of little
pearls, there are produced some of the very finest quality. The
pearls of the Countess de Regla, those of the Marquesa de
Gudalupe, and Madame Velasco, are from these fisheries, and are
remarkable for their great size and value. The great pearl
presented to General Victoria, while he was President, was from
the same locality." (WARD, vol. ii. p. 293.)

"The pearls of this gulf are considered of excellent water, but
their rather irregular figure somewhat reduces their value. The
manner of obtaining pearls is not without interest. The vessels
employed in the fisheries are from fifteen to thirty tons burden.
They are usually fitted out by private individuals. The armador
or owner commands them. Crews are shipped to work them, and from
forty to fifty Indians, called Busos, to dive for the oyster. A
stock of provisions and spirits, a small sum of money to advance
the people during the cruise, a limited supply of calaboose
furniture, a sufficient number of hammocks to sleep in, and a
quantity of ballast, constitute nearly all the cargo outward
bound.

"Thus arranged, they sail into the Gulf; and, having arrived at
the oyster banks, cast anchor and commence business. The divers
are first called to duty. They plunge to the bottom in four or
five fathom water, dig up with sharpened sticks as many oysters
as they are able, rise to the surface, and deposit them in sacks
hung to receive them at the vessel's side. And thus they continue
to do till the sacks are filled, or the hours allotted to this
part of the labor are ended.

"When the diving of the day is done, all come on board and place
themselves in a circle around the armador, who divides what they
have obtained in the following manner: two oysters for himself,
the same number