32 CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



oysters were lifted. These fisheries show well how pearl oysters increase in value as 

 they get old, the last one (1891) when the oysters were rich in pearl being much the 

 most remunerative, and in fact being the only fishery since 1814 that has brought in 

 nearly 1,000,000 of rupees. ' But the record also shows the risk there is in trying for 

 the enhanced value by delaying the fishery once the oysters are over 5 years of age. 

 In L891 this bed must have been 6 years old, and they are described as rapidly 

 dying oft, many being already dead and putrid. 



The next deposit of young oysters on the Muttuvaratu, found in March, 1896 

 disappeared* in 1898-99 (a winter of exceptionally heavy rains and storms); and a 

 fresh population made its appearance a year later and lias been recorded at all the 

 inspections since. In March, 1902, it was estimated by Captain Donnan at the 

 enormous figure of 277,000,000. This number has probably been greatly reduced 

 since by disease and the ravages of enemies, and it is doubtful whether sufficient will 

 survive to yield a fishery next year Avhen these oysters will be over 5 years of age. 



The adult oysters of the Muttuvaratu Paar are of small size and have a peculiarly 

 stunted appearance. They are infested with parasites, and also seem liable to a 

 diseased condition in which the mantle and other tissues become of a yellow colour. 

 In April, 1903, over 11 per cent, of the oysters examined were affected with this 

 disease. The Muttuvaratu, like the Karativo and the Dutch Modragam, seems 

 excellently adapted for the deposit of spat, but less reliable than the Cheval as a 

 rearing ground. 



IX. CHILAW PAARS. 



There are several paars, large and small, in the neighbourhood of Chilaw, which 

 have been described in Part I. (pp. 117, 118). The following record covers several of 

 these : 



Mar., 1802. Oysters 5 years old. On Jokkenpiddi, ih and 4 years old. 

 ,, 1803. Jokkenpiddi fished (yielded 163,154 rupees). 



Oct., 1804. Nothing on Jokkenpiddi. 



Nov., 1812. On the Jokkenpiddi Paar, oysters 4 and 5 years old, with young ones 

 attached, estimated to be fished in 1815. On Karkopanni Paar, abundant 

 oysters 2 to 3 years old, and to the north, some of 4 to 5 years. On 

 the Chilaw Paar a small bank of oysters 4, 5, and 6 years old, half of them 

 dead. 



Nov., 1814. On Karkopanni the oysters are thin and scattered, upwards of 

 6 years old, and there are many dead shells to be fished in March. On 

 Jokkenpiddi, only dead shells. On the Chilaw Paar nothing but rock and 

 dead shells. 



* Captain Donnan informs me that it was his report on this disappearance which caused Sir E. Walker, 

 then Acting Governor, to write to the Secretary of State asking for an expert enquiry into the condition 

 of the pearl liauks, and so gave rise to the present investigation. 



