THE PEARL FISHERY OF 1904. 29 



preceding points to December and January as being the period ot one of the 

 maxima of reproductive activity in the pearl oyster of Ceylon. 



In April the gonads began to show signs of increase, and a small quantity of spat 

 was seen. It now seems that the two maxima do not coincide, as we at first supposed, 

 with the intervals of line weather and variable winds between the monsoons, 

 i.e., November in the one case, March and April in the other. This year's observations 

 point distinctly to the chief spatting seasons having Deeemher and January, and 

 June, July or August, as the central periods respectively times when the monsoon 

 winds are blowing steadily and strongly. It may he noted that a wide dispersal of 

 the embryos can lie more effectually attained during these boisterous periods of strong 

 currents than if they were expelled during the inter-monsoon lulls, characterised by 

 light winds and erratic surface drift. 



Prospects of Future Fisheries.* 



" The prospects of a large fishery, both next year and in 1906, upon the Cheval and 

 Modragam paars are excellent ; the immense quantities of young, 2 to 2|- years old, 

 occupying the Mbdragams, the South-east, South, Mid-west, North-west, and the 

 greater part of the three central blocks of the Cheval Paar being ample for 2 years' 

 fisheries. Those on the Modragams, and on the South, South-east, and South-central 

 Cheval will, I hope, be fit to fish next March, being more advanced in growth than 

 those on the Mid-west and North-west Cheval. Apart from this reason it will be 

 advisable to fish the former at as early a date as the valuation of samples may show 

 to be profitable, because, as many of the oysters on the beds named lie loose in 

 bunches on a sandy bottom, they are thereby exposed to the danger of destruction by 

 currents of exceptional force a contingency infrequent but not unknown {e.g., fishery 

 of 1888). By March of 1905 these oysters will be about 3g years old, and, judging 

 from the rapidity of their growth and their present large size, by that date they 

 should be sufficiently matured to give a profitable fishery. They will then be 

 practically of the same age as those of the 1903 fishery, which realised just under 

 Rs. 30 per 1000, average price. 



" If the fishery be postponed till 1906, the pearl yield would be greater, but if this 

 were done, even supposing the oysters remained in safety till March, 1906, upon the 

 banks, there would then be too great a quantity to fish in one year, and a portion 

 would be left for the succeeding year, 19o7. But in 1907 the remainder would be 

 o years old, and under the conditions prevailing on the Western and Median Cheval, 

 where these oysters are, it is most improbable that they would be still alive. A 

 definite decision cannot be arrived at till the next valuation has been madet in 

 November of the present year. 



* I give this as Mr. HORNELL's opinion in the Summer of 1904. It must be mid in conjunction with 

 the next article (p. 37) based upon the inspection of lust November. 

 t Sec below . p. t3. 



