VI] A CEYLON PEARL FISHERY 83 



ready buyers can always be found. In this manner 

 the pearls of our dainty necklaces and engagement 

 rings are wrested fi^om Nature. The whole process 

 is- intensely interesting and picturesque, but it leaves 

 much to think about afterwards and much to hope 

 for. The thing has been going on in the same way 

 for centuries, and it would continue for centuries 

 to come if the busy AVestern mind, so full of new 

 ideas and plans, were not turning its attention to 

 improving the old system. What is wanted is to 

 make this harvest of the sea more regular in its 

 occurrence, to economise the vast expenditure of 

 human energy now wasted in bringing up the oyster 

 from the depths of the sea. The pearls might be 

 extracted from the oysters with greater rapidity 

 and certainty. More hygienic methods should be 

 employed and there should be more assurance that 

 the Government of Ceylon obtains its fair share of 

 the revenue. 



CHAPTER VII 



PEARL FISHERIES OF OTHER LANDS 



The Persian Gulf. The fisheries of the Persian 

 Gulf, like those of Ceylon, have been exploited for 

 very many years. They were known in the time of 



6—2 



