32 THE FIRST DIVERS 



right, for no matter how Httle one tips it, the water enters 

 and knocks it over." 



It is recorded by R. H. Davis that the employment of 

 divers for the salvage of sunken valuables is first men- 

 tioned by Livy. He says that in the reign of Perseus (179- 

 168 B.C.) considerable treasure was recovered from the 

 sea. The Rhodians had a law by which their divers were 

 allowed a proportion of the value recovered, varying with 

 the risk incurred, or the actual depth from which the 

 property was salvaged. For example, if the diver brought 

 it up from a depth of twelve feet (eight cubits) he re- 

 ceived one-third for himself; if from twenty-four feet, 

 one-half; but for goods lost near the shore and recovered 

 from the depth of merely a yard or so, his share was only 

 one-tenth. 



Diving in the olden time was not wholly confined to 

 military or salvaging purposes. Practical jokes were played 

 at least as early as 40 B.C. according to good old Plutarch. 

 Speaking of Antony's dalliance at Alexandria, Plutarch 

 writes, "It would be trifling without end to be particular 

 in his follies but his fishing must not be forgotten. He 

 went out one day to angle with Cleopatra, and, being so 

 unfortunate as to catch nothing in the presence of his 

 mistress, he gave secret orders to the fishermen to dive 

 under water, and put fishes that had been already taken 

 upon his hooks; and these he drew so fast that the Egyptian 

 perceived it. But, feigning great admiration, she told 

 everybody how dexterous Antony was, and invited them 



