No. 2 (1922) LACCADIVE FISHERIES 59 



While here I visited one evening the Tilakam and Pitti islets to 

 the south ; and after a preliminary survey of the island, spent a 

 morning and an evening in going through newly formed and 

 forming portions towards the north with a view to form an idea of 

 the locality and also to reach the northernmost bit of Cheriyam. A 

 good collection of shells was made and small fish caught by casting 

 nets, were preserved. A big Stegostoma was found washed ashore, 

 thrown away by fishermen as people say they are not eaten. In 

 this island also young dead pearl oysters were found. A plankton 

 collection was made and other points of interest noted. As a result 

 of this short visit I came to the conclusion that in case this depart- 

 ment intends carrying on a detailed study of these coral islands, 

 this island is best suited for the purpose. 



Leaving Kalpeni on the 19th night we landed at ANDROTH at 

 noon on the 20th. This island is the largest of the group measuring 

 one and two-thirds square mile in extent with a population of 2,492 

 (December 1920). In general appearance, it is like Amini — com- 

 pact in form and running east and west unlike the other islands of 

 the group which lie in a north to south direction, and presenting a 

 long appearance. There is practically no lagoon and a fringing 

 reef extends all round to a width of from 100 to 200 yards, an area 

 which is exposed during low tides. 



The people are prosperous and progressive and they look 

 healthy and dress in a well-to-do style. Being nearer to the main- 

 land they have largely copied modern methods of Indian life. As 

 usual in the island life of this locality, this island is divided into 

 two factions, the Government Amin with one or two Karanavans 

 on one side and all the other Karanavans on the other. The 

 dethroning (according to the conception of the island people) of the 

 Amin from his post, a favourite event which his opponents enjoy, 

 is the result of such factions, and in this place the Amin was 

 suspended for misconduct. 



We stayed till the 23rd. Two days were spent in collecting 

 and examining the reefs. Plankton collections were also made. 

 Plenty of Modiola in matted masses occupy the floor of the exposed 

 reef. A solitary Echiuroid was picked up. Turbellarian worms 

 were found in plenty in the reefs below coral stones as also 

 Holothurians of some half a dozen species. The fishing methods 

 in use were inquired into. Regarding the method for capturing 



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