The Pearl Fishery. 381 



by too keen a quest after gain ; the latter opens up the 

 pleasing- anticipation of the pearl oyster being susceptible of 

 very extensive propagation, by a process similar to that of 

 pisciculture, or artificial breeding of fish (such as the colonies 

 of edible oysters which are met with in the South of France), 

 by transplanting them to such places as seem best suited 

 to the conditions necessary to their highest development. 

 What a splendid conception it were to plant the sea-coasts of 

 Ceylon with pearls, and thus throw the wealth of the island 

 in precious stones into the sliade, by the treasures she w ould 

 possess in the depths of the sea ! 



Exactly at the period of our arrival at Colombo, the 

 preparations were being resumed at Aripo for the take of 

 the oysters, which commences at the beginning of February 

 each year, and lasts about three weeks. It is, in fact, a sort 

 of jubilee time for the people, at which the Governor and 

 numbers of the wealthier classes mingle with the populace. 

 Ordinarily this spot becomes at that season a rendezvous for 

 the poor and the wretched, and a rallying point for all manner 

 of abominable odours, filth, troublesome flies, and intolerable 

 heat, despite which drawbacks the fishery is visited by 

 thousands of boats, and hundreds of thousands of men, who 

 flock hither with the alluring prospect of speedy and abun- 

 dant wealth, or have been attracted from all parts of the 

 Indian Continent by the singularity of the spectacle. Sud- 



while, by some mystery of the craft, the spawoiing season is postponed, except in the 

 case of those that are selected for propagating the race. 



