104 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN [VOL. XVI, 



Thus the Karai Par received no attention for the years 1887 to 

 1894 and again from 1897 to 1903, both inclusive, a period of eight 

 years in the one case and of seven in the other. 



In the case of the other pars of the group the years of neglect 

 are 1888 to 1890, 1892, 1893, 1898, 1900 and 1901, eight years in all. 



It is quite conceivable that fishable oysters were missed through 

 such omission and it emphasizes the contention I make elsewhere 

 for a reorganization of the work of inspection upon such a scienti- 

 fic basis of accuracy and method as will preclude such lengthy 

 periods of neglect. 



A significant incident pointing to the imperfection of the 

 methods in use in the management of these banks is the statement 

 made in Mr. H. Sullivan Thomas' report * that oysters of 2% to 3 

 years of age were found in December 1869 upon the Pernandu, 

 Padutta Marikan and Padutta Marikan Tundu Pars, while the 

 entry for March 1869 states that these banks were totally devoid of 

 oysters, — " blank." Comment is superfluous on such a state of 

 affairs, not unknown either in the past history of the Ceylon banks.! 



The Padutta Marikan Tundu Par was one of the banks fished in 

 1830, the only record of a fishery on this par during the past century. 



6. Nenjurichchan Par Group. 



Three of the usual small pars, Y\ to one mile long, compose this 

 group, namely, Nenjurichchan, Kundanjan and Mela Onbadu Pars 

 and cannot be treated otherwise than as a single unit. They lie at 

 a distance of about 6 miles from the shore midway between Tuti- 

 corin and Pinnakayal. The depth is 7% to 8% fathoms. 



The rocky surface is extensive and comparatively free from 

 inorganic sand, what there is being composed largely of Foramini- 

 fera {Orbitolites and Heterostegina). The rock surface is level and 

 well adapted for dredging purposes. 



Physically and faunistically this group resembles closely the 

 seaward side of the Ceylon Muttuvaratu Par. Like the latter it is 

 rich in sponges and in Gorgonoids {Gorgonia miniacea, Suberogor- 

 gia subcrosa, Jiincclla juncea), while the long-armed Asterid Liuckia 

 laevigata is fairly common. The sandy region to the southward is 

 remarkable for the occurrence there of Lingula and for the abund- 

 ance of S olenocaulon tortuosum, and of Pennatula and Virgularia. 



* Loc. at., page 52. 



t Twynam, Sir William— " Report on the Pearl Fishery of 1888," Ceylon, 1888, 

 page 13 ; also Stewart — " Account of the Peari Fisheries." 



