The Trepang Fishery. 113 



not be drying properly. When this is done, the lower 

 batter is again filled from the pots, the fires immediately 

 lighted, and the drying process continued as before. The 

 slugs on the lower batter must be turned frequently during 

 the first 12 hours. On the second day (the fires having 

 been extinguished as before) the slugs on the upper batter 

 are shifted close over to one end, to make room for those on 

 the lower batter again ; and so on, as before, for the two 

 following days, by which time the first day's produce will be 

 properly cured. It is then taken off the batter, and, after 

 having been carefully examined, and those not dry put up 

 again, the quantity cured is sent on board the vessel, and 

 stowed away in bags. But should the ship be long in 

 .procuring a cargo, it will require to be dried over again 

 every three months, in the sun, on platforms erected over 

 the deck, as it soon gets damp, unless when packed in air- 

 tight casks. 



If the beche-de-mer is plentiful, and the natives bring 

 it daily in large quantities, 40 men will be requisite to per- 

 form the work of a house of the above size ; and the pots 

 will want two hands to attend them. These curing-houses 

 consume a large quantity of firewood daily. When beche- 

 de-mer is cured and stowed away, great care should be 

 taken to prevent it from getting wet, as one damp slug will 

 speedily spoil a whole bag. 



The beche-de-mer fisheries at the Fiji Islands have been 

 extended of late years, particularly upon the Mattuata 

 coast, situated upon the north side of Vanna Levu. The 

 increase of value of export upon this head has been large, 

 and, provided the exertions used to keep the petty chiefs 

 from quarrelling are successful, will no doubt augment. 

 The product is sold there at about 36^. per picul. The 

 prices fluctuate very much, being sometimes as high as 40^. 



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