110 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN [VOL. XVI, 



the bank was not examined, owing presumably to the fishery then 

 in progress on the neighbouring Teradi Puli Piditta Par. 



The fishery of 1862 on these banks produced a net profit to 

 Government of Rs. 1, 10, 619. 



The general characteristics of the Karuwal group are the most 

 favourable of any seen during the investigation, the ground 

 approximating most nearly to the condition found on certain of the 

 better parts of the Cheval Par — the most valuable and reliable of 

 all the Ceylon banks. 



In both cases we find the depth of water about the same, while 

 the bottom on the Karuwal group has a diversity in physical 

 characters somewhat approaching that found on the Cheval, 

 stretches of rock much broken up by patches of sand overlaid in 

 places with a considerable quantity of cultch consisting of loose 

 blocks of calcrete, nodular masses of Lithothamnion (" kottei- 

 pakku ") and worn fragments of dead coral (" challai "). Such 

 diversity seems a condition specially suited to the requirements of 

 oysters. 



12. Odakarai Par. 



A bank lying six miles west of Trichendur and due south of the 

 Karuwal group with which it appears to be linked in its main 

 characteristics. 



Much of the bottom is well cultched with Lithothamnion 

 nodules* and the extent of rocky bottom is satisfactory, the par 

 extending about l l 4 mile north and south. The depth is 8 to 8% 

 fathoms. 



Prior to 1885, this, in common with the banks included under 

 the term Manappad group, received insufficient attention and there 

 can be Utile doubt that fishdble oysters occupied the bank in 1900 and 

 perhaps in 1901, — years when no examination was made, although 

 it was reported in 1899 that oysters of 2% inches in depth were 

 sufficiently numerous to give 20 to a dive. 



In the 44 years since i860 the bank was examined sixteen times 

 only, so that no inspection was made during 28 years. Twice there was 

 no examination for five years in succession, and this in view of the bank 

 being for all practical purposes a portion of the most proli lie oyster- 

 maturing ground on this coast. 



Inspection Report, 18S7 



