THE PEARL OYSTER. 927 



his influence, but often harangues them on the greatness 

 of his power and on his marvellous exploits. 



In addition to the variety of persons attracted, as has 

 been seen, to the pearl fishery, there annually arrive troops 

 of Indian artisans, who are very expert in piercing or dril- 

 ling the pearls, and who practise their art on the spot at a 

 very moderate charge. They sit in the open air before 

 the tent of any person who employs them. Nothing can 

 be more simple than the implements they use. These are 

 merelv a block of wood in the form of an inverted cone. 



J 



which rests on three legs, and whose upper surface is 

 pierced with circular holes of various diameter, fitted to 

 receive the pearls according to their size, with a few drills. 

 Their drill is merely a short, sharp needle, inserted in a 

 stick, which is made circular at the top, and is set in 

 motion by a bow, like those used by our watchmakers. 

 Sitting on the ground cross-legged, they keep the block of 

 wood between their knees, and apply the drill perpendicu- 

 larly to the pearl, which they pierce with extraordinary 

 rapidity and accuracy. 



In stormy days the divers cannot proceed. The boats 

 set off at the signal of a gun, about ten o'clock in the 

 evening, when the land breeze is in their favour ; they 

 reach the banks about break of day, and about noon the 

 sea breeze rises, with which they return to land". A fleet 

 of about 250 boats are engaged in the fishery, each boat 

 being manned by about twenty hands, half of whom are to 

 row the boat and assist the divers, especially in coming up, 

 when they are considerably exhausted. Of the other ten, 

 who are divers, five go down at a time ; one company 

 resting while the other dives. The average depth at which 

 the oysters are found varies from 60 to 70 feet, and to these 

 depths accordingly the divers descend, being let down into 



