282 INTllODUCTTON TO COKCHOLOGY. 



their shores are shaded and adorned are ebony, red-wood, 

 aloes, cloves, and sandal, and all other spices and aromatics ; 

 parrots and peacocks are the birds of the forests; musk 

 and civet the productions of the land/"* To these exotic re- 

 gions Ave must therefore look for the finest pearls ; they are 

 brought from the island of Bahrein, or Baharem, in the 

 Persian Gulf, from the fishery of Catisa, on the coast of 

 Arabia Mix, and from Ceylon and Japan. 



The fishery established at Manaar, a seaport in the island 

 of Ceylon, is one of the most considerable. It commences 

 in Eebruary, and ends about the beginning of April. During 

 this period Candatchy, about ten miles from Manaar, pre- 

 sents an interesting and novel spectacle. The bay is thronged 

 with vessels ; the coast with an incredible multitude from 

 all parts of India, consisting of persons of different com- 

 plexions, countries, castes, and occupations. Here are to be 

 seen boat-owners running to the shore with anxious faces, 

 and looks of joy, in hopes of a rich cargo, stepping on the 

 rocks that project into the sea, and wading as far as they 

 can venture. There, groups of jevvellers, brokers, merchants, 

 foreigners, and natives, variously employed; some bargain- 

 ing for pearls, others separating and sorting them ; others, 

 with scales in their hands, weighing and ascertaining the 



