THE PEARL FISHERY OF 1004. 



that even the dust-pearls, the ' masi-tul,' have been removed is carried on by women 

 and children, and it is amazing to see what a large quantity of small pearls their 

 keen eyes and fine touch enable them to obtain. After the pearls are picked out it is 



Fig. 3. Government divers picking out pearls from oyster washings. Photo, by Mr. Hornell. 



the custom to offer the apparently exhausted dirt for sale, and ready buyers can 

 always be found." 



After the valuation was completed, and the results had been telegraphed to the 

 Colonial Secretary for the purpose of advertisement, Mr. Hornell utilized the few 

 remaining days, prior to the advertised opening of the fishery on the 14th March, in 

 an examination of the Karativo and Dutch Modraoam Paars. 



Method of Marking out the Fishing Ground. On the 13th March Mr. Hornell 

 returned to the Cheval Paar and took up a position on the south-west corner of the 

 south-west section, and marked out the ground for fishing in the following manner : 



" As the plan adopted was a novel one, the Government Agent kindly acceded to 

 my request to notify the method by beat of tom-tom in the divers' quarters, 

 intimating that the boundaries of the fishing ground would be marked by buoys 

 bearing red flags, while a series of white flag buoys would be placed wherever 

 fishable oysters were present. The divers were instructed to cluster their boats 

 round the various white flags. 



" These oyster buoys were placed according to the distribution of oysters mapped 

 out after the inspection, but to guard against the possibility of mistake I verified the 

 abundance of oysters at selected spots by preliminary dives before anchoring the 

 buoys in position. The system proved a success, as by placing but a few white flags 

 down at a time 1 was able to control the movements of the fleet and ensure the bank 



