112 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN [VOL. XVI, 



The fishery of 1900 proves the good potentialities of this bank 

 which deserves regular and careful attention in common with all 

 the groups in this neighbourhood. It is also to be noted to the 

 credit of this bank that the oysters fished here in 1900 were larger 

 shells than those from the Teradi Puli Piditta Par and fetched 

 better prices than the latter. 



It was remarked that the Tundu Par oysters were covered with 

 weed, whereas those from the other par were practically clean.* 



15. Manappad Group. 



Under this name I propose to include a one-ranked series of 

 pars extending over 6 miles north-east and south-west parallel with 

 the coast between Trichendur Pagoda and Manappad point. They 

 lie at an average distance of 8 miles from land. The depth ranges 

 within close limits from 8 to 9 fathoms. 



From north to south the names of the constituent banks read— 

 Trichendur Puntottam Par, Sandamacoil Piditta Par, Teradi Puli 

 Piditta Par, Semman Patt Par, and Manappad Par, together with a 

 few smaller rocky patches. 



Prior to 1885 these banks received scant attention and were 

 seldom examined, under the impression, I believe, that they were 

 of little or no value. However in 1897, oysters ranging from Y% inch 

 to I/-2 inch in depth were found on Sandamacoil Piditta, Teradi 

 Puli Piditta, Semman Patt Par, Surukku Onbadu Par (Manappad 

 Par appears omitted from every inspection since i860!) and in 

 1899 well-grown healthy oysters were found plentiful on all the 

 four banks. 



The following year the Teradi Puli Piditta Par was fished 

 together with the Tundu Par already described. Unfortunately 

 the quality of the oysters from the former par was too poor to 

 encourage the divers to attend in large numbers and continue for 

 a prolonged period. It appears possible that they were fished a 

 year too early, though this is a point that was not definitely 

 settled. 



The valuation of a sample of these oysters in the October 

 preceding was reported to be Rs. 10-2 per 1,000 and according to 

 the experience of many fisheries on the Ceylon side, the actual 

 price obtained at the fishery following is invariably considerably 



* "Proceedings, Board of Revenue, Madras," No. 208, October 1900. 



