HISTORY OF THE PRINCIPAL PEARL BANKS. 3 



and the others to be considered here, for different reasons, are the Periya Paar, 

 Kondatchi Paar, Karativo Paar, the Dutch Modragam, and the Chilaw group. 



The accompanying sketch-map (fig. 1) shows the approximate relative positions of 

 these, the more important paars in the Gulf of Manaar. Charts showing the 

 topography of the region on a larger scale were given in Part 1. 



Fig. 1. Sketch-map showing the principal pearl-oyster banks in the Gulf of Manaar. C, Chilaw Paar; 

 Ch, Cheval Paar; K., Dutch Modragam and Karativo Paars; M., Modragam Paars; Mu., 

 Muttuvaratu Paar; P., Periya Paar; P.K., Periya Paar Kerrai. 



I. CHEVAL PAAR* 



The map published by Baijxeus in 1672 shows, from the relative positions of 

 prominent features of the shore-line, that the pearl banks then fished off Aripu 

 correspond with the Cheval Paar of the present day. This establishes the permanence 

 of the Cheval Paar in its general position and outline for over two centuries, and we 

 have native records of important pearl banks in that region from much earlier times. 

 No doubt, over-washes of sand have, from time to time, obliterated portions of the 

 oyster-bearing ground, and at other times the scouring action of tides and storms may 

 have extended the area of the hard " paar " ; but notwithstanding these vicissitudes, 

 we still have, as in early Sinhalese times, a group of more or less continuous banks 



* For an account of the leading physical and biological characters of the Cheval Paar, see Part I., 

 p. 100. 



B 2 



