19^2] MADRAS PEARL FISHERIES 1 55 



inconvenient in making comparisons of surveys effected and in 

 furnishing comparative diagrams of oyster distribution to accom- 

 pany the periodical inspection reports. 



In the past there has been unnecessary subdivision of the 

 potential oyster-bearing area, resulting in the creation of 64 

 so-called banks. Many of these are extremely small patches of 

 rocky bottom often not more than half a mile long by a quarter in 

 breadth. Many again lie adjacent to one another and hence lend 

 themselves readily to a system of grouping. I propose therefore a 

 grouping of the banks in the manner shown upon charts I and II 

 annexed. 



Each group may be denominated by the name of the best 

 known bank included. The grouping suggested is that which has 

 been detailed fully in the section dealing with the topography of 

 the banks {vide p. 5° ante) and which need not be here re- 

 capitulated. 



Accompanying the revised working chart, which should be put 

 in hand at the earliest opportunity, should be a list of at least 

 three cross bearings taken from the central point in each inspection 

 circle (see infra). 



(b) Adoption of a system of detailed " Circle-inspection." — To 

 ascertain the presence and distribution of oysters over the whole 

 of the effective Pearl Bank region, an exhaustive examination by 

 what I term " Circle-inspection " is absolutely essential. 



Any bank found bearing oysters should be inspected by this 

 method so long as they remain, and all hitherto unexamined ground 

 should be covered with a network of tangent circles to ascertain 

 the distribution of rock and sand and the potentialities of oyster- 

 bearing. 



Picked divers should be employed for the work and the services 

 of the same men secured permanently by giving them either an 

 annual retaining fee or an extra rate of pay. They should be placed 

 under the charge of four inspection coxswains, also on a permanent 

 engagement for the annual inspections in the same way as has 

 been adopted with marked success in the Ceylon service. 



The banks grouped as suggested in the preceding section should 

 next be mapped out into circular inspection areas which may be 

 termed " Inspection-circles," of 1% mile in diameter, each denoted 

 by a serial number and, where it can be done with advantage, by 

 a distinctive name. The larger banks, like the Tolayiram and 



