THE PEARL FISHERY. 81 



making the sharks attack them, on which account he 

 is sure of receiving Hberal presents from all quarters. 

 Sharks are often seen from the boats, and by the divers 

 when they are at the bottom of the sea, but an accident 

 rarely occurs. Many fisheries have been completed 

 without one diver being hurt ; and perhaps not more 

 than one instance is to be found in the course of 

 twenty years. Thus, most probably, the prevailing 

 superstition is fostered. Oh, when will it end for ever, 

 and men recognise in Jehovah the only and almighty 

 preserver ! 



The diver's tackle consists of a large stone, sus- 

 pended by a rope, with a strong loop above the stone, 

 to receive one of his feet, and having also a slip-knot 

 and a basket formed of a hoop and net-work, which 

 receives the other foot. When he has fixed himself 

 in this apparatus, he holds his nostrils with one hand, 

 and pulling the running-knot with the other, instantly 

 descends ; and when he reaches the bottom, he dis- 

 engages his foot from the stone, which is immediately 

 drawn up to be ready for the next diver. He remains 

 under the water a minute and a half or two minutes. 



Sometimes the oysters are piled in great heaps, but 

 in general they are purchased and divided among the 



