113 



fauna of the lagoon to be much richer and more varied than 

 at Kiltan ; corals were more numerous and of larger proportions 

 while crustaceans and fishes were fairly abundant. 



113. The island is almost a facsimile of Kiltan exct-pt that 

 the reef which hems in the lagoon on the western side has two 

 boat channels, both broader than the single passage through 

 Ihe Kiltan reef. As a consequence there is a freer run of tide 

 in and out of the lagoon and a greater abundauce of food for 

 lagoon-living animals. During the south-west monsoon this 

 free run of tide has its disadvantages as a heavy sea is then 

 felt even within the lagoon, rendering it difficult to use either 

 lines or nets. At that season therefore fishing is restricted to 

 the use of fish traps, of which a number were seen during our 

 visit. They are heart shaped in form with the inlet at the 

 wider end. The framework is of rough wicker, the crossings 

 secured with coir twine ; instead of weighting the trap with 

 stones placed within as is customary with such traps elsewhere, 

 the ends of the bottom ribs are allowed to project several inches 

 and on these are piled a quantity of coral blocks to keep the 

 trap in place (Fig. 11). 



111. At Kiltan I had found several shells of two species 

 having commercial value in the mother-of-pearl button trade; 

 one was Turbo argyrostoma L., closely related to the Green- 

 snail of commerce {Turbo marmoratus) and the other the 

 Trocas or top-shell (Trochus niloticus). On landing 1 showed 

 these to the Chetlat people who at once professed their ability 

 to obtain plenty. To this end we crossed to the eastern side 

 where they were said to be plentiful ; none were obtained 

 alive, but broken shells of the Green-snail were common enough 

 among the beach drift. Our guides said the tide was not low 

 enough but still promised plenty. On further pressure they led 

 the way to a fringe of bushes behind the beach. I could not 

 understand this move till they turned over some large coral 

 boulders under the bushes, when lo ! dozens of hairy lobster- 

 red hermit-crabs, each occupying a Green-snail shell, began 

 scurrying away. Within a few minutes a bucketful was 

 obtained and we might have had a boat-load had we wished. 

 (Fig. 12,) No full-sized shells were found, however, possibly 

 because such would be dwellings too roomy for the comfort of 

 the hermits. Later in the day I found some good-sized mother- 

 of-pearl Trochus, all in damaged condition, at the north end of 

 the island, so it is abundantly clear that both shells live on 

 the reef. To determine whether their size and numbers are 

 sufficient to constitute a minor industry will require further 

 investigation ; the islanders both here and at Ameni said that 

 at the "pars" (Bitra, Cherbaniani, etc.) plenty are to be had. 

 15 



