132 CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



could be obtained in artificial tanks, and a more sheltered one than the bay at Galle 

 during the south-west monsoon, was essential. Fortunately, some very suitable 

 buildings, in the best possible place, then passed into the hands of the Colonial 

 Government through the abandonment of Trincomalee as a Naval Dockyard Station ; 

 and on being consulted last year by Sir Henry Blake and the Colonial Office, I was 

 able to concur with Mr. Hoknell and recommend strongly that the Marine Biological 

 Station be transferred from Galle, in the south of the island, to the former Naval 

 Hospital at Trincomalee, on the north-east coast. That transference has now been 

 effected, and the magnificent almost land-locked inner bay at Trincomalee, in which 

 pearl oysters naturally live in shallow water, is now available for experimental scientific 

 work at all times of the year. 



It is clear to me, in concluding this Summary of Results obtained so far, (l) that 

 there is still a great deal of biological work that must be done in connection with all 

 the Ceylon marine fishing industries ; and (2) that the Marine Laboratory now at 

 Trincomalee, enlarged if necessary and more fully equipped, is the best place in which 

 to carry on all such investigations, and ought in the future to play an important 

 part in the scientific work of the colony. 



B. RECOMMENDATIONS.* 



The following Recommendations are based upon the conclusions briefly given in the 

 preceding pages and also upon the detailed evidence in the "Narrative" and other 

 sections in the preceding volumes of this Report. 



1. That dredging be employed extensively to supplement diving operations, either 

 wholly or in part, both on the inspections and also, where possible and when desirable, 

 at the fisheries. 



* These Recommendations, sent to the Governor of Ceylon in September, 1903, as a private document 

 accompanying an " advance " printed copy of the first volume of this Report, are subordinate to my 

 primary proposition, which was that the Colonial Government should appoint a Marine Biologist to cany 

 on the investigations I had started. This proposition and my further recommendation that Mr. James 

 Hoknell, F.L.S., should be appointed to the post, were adopted, and Mr. Hornell commenced his work 

 as Marine Biologist to the Government on January 1st, 1904. A few weeks later, on the retirement of 

 the Master Attendant of Colombo from the office of Inspector of Pearl Banks, the duties of the latter post 

 were, temporarily, added to those of the Marine Biologist, and since that date Mr. Hornell has acted in 

 the dual capacity, and has thus discharged both advisory (biological) and executive (inspectional) functions 

 in connection with the pearl banks during the last two years. The record fisheries of 1904 and 1905 have 

 taken place under the new auspices, and of the latter (the great fishery of 1905 which brought in over 

 150,000 profit to the Government) it is gratifying to find that His Excellency Sir Henry Blake has 

 placed on record in his despatch of June 14th, 1905, to the Secretary of State that "This result is due to 

 i lir careful and methodical examination of the banks by Mr. Hornell," 



