HISTORY OF THE PRINCIPAL PEARL BANKS. 5 



sonic dead shells (supposed to be the same oysters as those found on the 

 Periya Paar Kerrai in 1810). 

 Oct., 1813. Samples lifted from Koddai Paar 6 and 7 years old, and from 

 Kottapakku Paar 5, 6, and 7 years old, and from South-east and North- 

 east ( Iheval 7 years old. 

 Mar., 1814. Large fishery (yielded over 1,000,000 rupees to Government). 

 Oct., 1815. Very few oysters, I year old, on Koddai Paar (centre of Cheval). 

 On Kottapakku Paar (west of Cheval) oysters 6 years old, and some on 

 North-east Cheval ; both the latter recommended for fishery. 

 Mar.. 18 1G. All oysters dead. No fishery except a few from Kallatidel Paar. 

 [Small fishery on Cheval and Modragam, fide Vane.] 

 ,, 1820. Oysters 4 years old fished (yielded 30,410 rupees). 

 ,, 1821. Remainder dead. 



182G. Abundant oysters too young for pearls. 

 Oct., 1826. 5 year old oysters and smaller ones. 

 Mar., 1829. Fishery on North-west Cheval (yielded 382,737 rupees). 



1830. South-east 222,5G4 



Oct., 1830. Sample lifted. 



Mar., 1831. Fishery on North-west Cheval (yielded 293, 3GG rupees). 

 Nov., 1834. Oysters in 7 fathoms. 



Mar., 1835. Oysters 4 and ih years old, recommended for fishing next March. 

 Part of Cheval fished, along with Periya Paar Kerrai. 

 183G. Fishery on Central Cheval and Koddai Paar (South Cheval) (yielded 



over 160,000 rupees). 

 1837. Fishery on North Cheval (yielded 10G,312 rupees). 

 Nov., 1840. Oysters 1^ to 3 years old. 



1851. 1 year old, on South-west Cheval, in a healthy state. 

 Mar.. 1853. Large bed of oysters on South-west Cheval (2 X 1 miles). Oysters 

 " 4 or 5 years old. ' 

 ,, 1854. -Oysters on South-west Cheval healthy, but scattered and not very 

 plentiful. 

 Nov., 1854. Sample taken up from South-west Cheval and fishery recommended. 



Younger oysters 1 \ to 2 J. years old found to the west. 

 Mar.. 1855. South-west Cheval fished (yielded 109,220 rupees). 



185G. Oysters on northern part remaining from last year said to be 5^ years 



old. Oysters 3 years old to south. 

 1857. North-west < 'heval fished (rather too young, over 32,000,000 oysters 

 yielded only 203,633 rupees). 

 Nov., 1857. Many dead shells. 



Mar., 1858. North west (.'heval fished (over 16,000,000 oysters yielded 241,200 

 rupees). 



