The great advantage of culturlng pearls in the Palaus and other islands of the former 

 Japanese lilandate was the presence there of the larger species of pearl oyster, especially 

 the black lip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaratifera ) , and the availability of the gold lip 

 oyster ( Pinctada maxima ). Because of their large size they were not only easier to use as 

 hosts for the mother of pearl blanks, but also the nacre was laid dovm at a more- rapid 

 rate, so that pearls could be produced in two years rather than the three to five which 

 were required for the smaller native Japanese species of the pearl oyster ( Pinctada 

 martensi ) . 



B. JAPAIJESE PEAKL CULTURE AT EBOH 



Although we did not visit the island of Ebon, a native from that island was inter- 

 viewed at Liajuro in regard to experimental productions of culture pearls carried on by 

 the Japanese. Ihis native assisted the Japanese in their planting operations and was 

 one of only three natives permitted to do so. The work was carried on from 1935 to 1942, 

 Three species of oysters were planted: the first was the black lip ( Pinctada margaritifera ) 

 of approximately six inches in diameter, brought from Namorik; the second species, was the 

 gold lip ( Pinctada maxima ), approximately six inches in diameter or larger, which was 

 brought from New Guinea; and the third a small white oyster, approximately three inches 

 in diameter, which was brought from Japan. Planting was done inside the lagoon in depths 

 of 3 to 12 fathcms. As at Koror in the Palaus, oysters were placed in wire baskets hold- 

 ing from 6 to 18 oysters each. Some baskets were placed on the bottom, others suspended 

 by wood floats and gasoline drums at varying distances from the bottom to approximately 

 three feet belov/ the surface of the water. The effect of various locations was not 

 known to our informant. He was told that in Japan it took five years to produce cultured 

 pearls, but only three years at Ebon. The informant also did not know which species of 

 oyster proved best for pearl culture. Pearl shell slugs of graduated sizes were put into 

 oysters to form the pearls, as was done at Koror. Hone of the natives was permitted to 

 watch the process of inserting the pearl slug into the oysters. The Japanese told the 

 natives that it would cost them 1,000 yen to watch the process. Our informant thought 

 that the Japanese must have planted thousands of these oysters. Three Japanese were 

 engaged in this "work, and the man in charge was Kosuka Kyoshi, The operating company was 

 the iiarshalls Sinsyu Kabushlki Kaiisha of Tokyo and Uaiken. The plantings were abandoned 

 in 1942, and the informant did not know the present status of the plantings, but thinks it 

 probable (with which I agree) that the natives took up most of the baskets to get the 

 pearls . 



V, SEA CUCUMBERS (TREPANG) 



Approximately a dozen species (not yet identified) are very abundant throughout the 

 area. The commercial types are shown in Fig. 31. T?hen dried they are known as trepang 

 or beche-de-mer, and are a prized addition to the diet of many Orientals. 



A small (4-6 inches) smooth, black species occurs in tremendous qusintities on the 

 flats, just offshore in 6 to 12 inches of water. It is sometimes difficult to walk there 

 without stepping on them. Most of the larger species are to be found in deeper water, 

 down to several fathoms, and usually are to be seen in greater abundance at night. 



Chief centers of trepang production were Saipan, Palaus, Yap, Truk, and Ponape. 

 This was due, not only to the local abundance of sea cucumbers, but also to the avail- 

 ability of shipping. Trepang cannot be kept indefinitely without protection against 

 spoilage, and remote islands and atolls do not have frequent trading vessels to take a 

 semi -perishable product. 



73 



