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XXIX. Account of the Pearl Fisheries of the North-West Coast of the Island 
of Ceylon. By Captain James Srrvart, Master Attendant at Colombo. 
Communicated by Lieut. Colonel Witt1am M. G. Corzrnoorr, of the Royal 
Artillery, F.R.S.. M.R.A.S., &c. §c. 
Read the 2d of February 1833. 
Ir would give me great pleasure, were it in my power to explain the 
little I have remarked on the nature of the pearl-oyster, in the style the 
subject requires. Having had opportunities of obtaining a general know- 
ledge of most fisheries, I cannot but regret that my attention was so wholly 
absorbed by professional pursuits, that very little was bestowed on the 
natural history or habits of the animal in question. 
Encouraged, however, by a desire to assist inquiry, I shall feel most 
happy if I can be the means of furnishing the naturalist with any informa- 
tion respecting the pearl-oysters of Ceylon, which he may not have the 
means of acquiring by personal observation. 
The natives of this country have an idea, that pearl-oysters are rained 
from the clouds; the origin of this supposition I attribute to the well- 
known effect of water-spouts passing over the sea.* Leaving the subject 
of generation (on which the natives have many ridiculous opinions) to the 
learned and scientific, I shall notice the first appearance of pearl-oysters, when 
they are seen in immense clusters floating about the sea, so minute in size 
that a casual observer would pass the floating masses as fish spawn of some 
kind, but never would suppose them to be oysters. 
In this state, the sport both of the wind and the current, they are driven 
round the coasts of Ceylon, until increased size causes them to sink to the 
bottom ; they then attach themselves to rock (which is generally coral) or any 
heavy substance, by means of a beard, with which nature has furnished 
them similar to the muscle, or they adhere in clusters to each other. I 
have heard that some naturalists consider what is called the pearl-oyster to 
* Perhaps also to the fact that, in some parts of the East; the spawn of certain fish is 
suspended in vapours, and brought down by the rain. 
