Distribution of Pearls and Pearl-shell. 93 
In European countries these concretions were formerly 
used. in the preparation of certain medicines.” 
Like the pearl fisheries of southern India, those 
situated off the north-west coast of Ceylon, in the Gulf 
of Manaar, directly south of Adams Bridge, are of very 
great antiquity. They are said to have been well-known 
to the Phoenicians who traded here in purple robes 
and other commodities.” Pliny” refers to Taprobane 
(Ceylon) as the most productive of pearls of all parts of 
the world. Ptolemy, Strabo, and other ancient writers 
also speak of their importance. According to the 
“ Mahavansa,” pearls figure among the native products 
sent as presents from King Vigaya of Ceylon to his 
Indian father-in-law, in about 550 B.C.; and again when 
in 306 B.C., King Devanampiyabissa sent an embassy to 
India the presents are said to have included eight kinds of 
68 
Ceylon pearls.” According to Tennent™ the eight kinds 
of pearls were: “haya (the horse); gaja (the elephant) ; 
ratha (the chariot wheel); maalaka (the nelli fruit) ; 
valaya (the bracelet) ; anguliwelahka (the ring); kakuda- 
phala (the kabook fruit); and pakatika, the ordinary 
description.” 
The only other locality in Ceylon where pearls are 
obtained is Tamblegam Lake, on the north-eastern coast, 
near Trincomali. Here P/lacuna fishing is carried on for 
the sake of the diminutive pearls contained in them. 
These are exported to the coast of India, to be burned 
into lime for mixing with betel for chewing. (Tennent, 
op. ctt., 11, pp. 491-2.) 
$4 Jeffreys, ‘* Brit. Conch.’ 1. 1862, p. Ixv. 
65 Streeter, of. cé¢., p. 186; Tennent, ‘‘ Ceylon,” London, 1859, 2nd 
ed-, vole15,, p. S52- 
See limyane NeEeees Dkienlixeiclicn 54% 
67 W. A. Herdman, ‘‘ Report on the pearl oyster fisheries of Ceylon,” 
"Royal Society, London, pt. i., 1903 ; also Kunzand Stevenson, of. c?/., p. 4- 
6S Tennent, op. czt., 1., p. 446. 
