46 SPOLIA ZEYLANiCA. 



This is a ready and effective method of anchoring the boat, even in 

 the roughest weather. In those parts of the lake where sharks are 

 supposed to abound, the boatmen scare away these dreaded creatures 

 during diving operations by knocking a paddle against the side of 

 the boat. The boats used are ordinary dugouts, which do not have 

 outriggers. The type of paddle used is used in various parts of 

 Ceylon, and consists of a long pole, to which is attached a circular 

 piece of wood, which acts as the blade. No rowlocks are present, 

 arid the oar is attached to the side of the boat by means of a rough 

 hemp rope. 



The following are the results of the diving operations from 

 September 4 to 8, 1911, giving the depths, nature of bottom, and 

 the presence or absence of Placuna : — 



Station 1. — \ fathom. Black mud. Nothing. 



Station 2. — | fathom. Black mud and weed. Dead Plactma* 

 shell (5x5 approx.). 



Station 3. — | fathom. Brown mud and weed. One dead cockle. 

 Several dead Placunce (5 X 5). 



Station 4. — f fathom. Brown mud and weed. Several small 

 dead Gasteropods. One livmg Placuna (4| x 3^). No pearls. 



Station 5. — | fathom. Black mud. Nothing. 



Station 6. — 1 fathom. Black mud and weed. Nothing. 



Station 7. — IJ fathom. Black mud and weed. One dead shell 

 (5x5 approx.). One living Placuna (2| x 2|). No pearls. 



Station 8. — 1 fathom. Mud and weed. Nothing. 



Station 9. — f fathom. Mud. Dead Placunce scanty. 



Station 10. — \ fathom. Mud. Nothing. 



Station 11. — f fathom. Mud. Nothmg. 



Station 12. — f fathom. Mud and sand. Nothing. 



Station 13. — | fathom. Sand. Nothing. 



Station 14 ( := Homell's Station 14a). — 1;^ fathom. Mud. 

 Nothing. 



Station 15 ( = Homell's Station 17). — U fathom. Mud. 

 Nothing. 



Statio7i 16 ( = Hornell's Station 16). — 1|- fathom. Mud. 

 Nothing. 



Station 17. — 1| fathom. Sand. Nothing. 



Station 18 ( := Hornell's Station 18a). — 1| fathom. Sand and 

 mud. Nothmg. 



Station 19. — IJ fathom. Sand and nmd. Nothing. 



Station 20. — If fathom. Mud and shell debris. Dead Placunce 

 very plentiful (4| x 4|). 



Station 21 ( = Homell's Station 186). — 2 fathoms. BroAvn mud 

 with shell fragments. Nothing. 



* Note. — "Dead Placunce^' means empty shells. The sizes of the shells 

 are given in inches. 



