NO. 2 (1922) LACCADIVE FISHERIES 57 



and out of the root a coarse kind of sago-like preparation is made 

 which is largely eaten by the island people. 



The bulb, after being cleaned of sand and mud and the removal 

 of the small roots sticking thereto, is cut into strips and washed in 

 fresh water, changing the water half a dozen times, to get rid of 

 the mucus and also part of the bitterness. Thereafter the strips 

 are dried in the sun and powdered well into coarse and nice grains. 

 Again it is passed through fresh water to remove completely the 

 bitterness which otherwise is left in the product. The powder is 

 used in the preparation of kanji and also generally mixed with rice 

 flour, boiled mira (sweet coconut toddy) and coconut scrapings to 

 be made into round balls called in vernacular " piiidi." This is 

 much valued as a sweet eatable by the island people and is much 

 sought after by the ordinary people coming from the mainland. 



On the- 5th December, a plankton collection was made opposite 

 of the Amin's cutcherry ; while at this work I saw a shoal of fish 

 followed by seagulls ; the boatmen said they were " Mas-min " 

 (Bonito). In the afternoon inquiries were made regarding fishing 

 appliances and also the so-called "pearls" from Modiola. The 

 steamer Minio did not arrive to take the party to the next island 

 of Kavarti ; hence a country boat was engaged and we left at 

 midnight on the 7th, arriving at Kavarti at 10 30 a.m. the next 

 day. 



The island of KAVARTI (area one and one-third square mile . 

 population 1,461) is similar in shape and appearance to most of 

 the other islands of the group and the people appear to be living 

 comfortably and in better sanitary conditions. The houses are 

 encircled by kadjan fencing and the space thus enclosed kept clean 

 and neat Pitti sandbank (15- miles north-west) and Suheli reef 

 (35 miles south-west) are attached to this island. 



On the afternoon of the 8th December the reef at the entrance 

 to the lagoon was examined. The coral growth was found to be in 

 dead condition, but the very first examination among the branches 

 of Madrepore corals revealed young living pearl oysters, again 

 confirming the view that pearl oysters are available in these 

 waters. The people here also seem not to recognize the real pearl 

 oyster and the description of their pearl oyster refer to black 

 Pinna shell which is said to be found in plenty at Suheli. A 

 collection of corals was made and two specimens of Tridacna were 

 obtained alive. The next four days were occupied in collecting, 

 the most notable specimens being big hermit crabs living in 



