An Account of the Pearl Fifhery at Ceylon. 341 
fying pearl fithes, renders the atmofphere of Condatchey fo 
infufferably offenfive when the fouth-weft wind blows, that it 
fentibly atieéts the olfactory nerves of any one unaccuftomed 
to fueh cadaverous {mells. This putrefaction generates im- 
menfe numbers of worms, flies, mufkitoes, and other vermin, 
all together forming a fcene ftrongly difpleafing to the fenfes. 
Thoie who are not provided with a fufficient ftock of mo- 
ney fufier great hardfhips, as not only all kinds of provifions 
are very dear, but even every drop of good water mutt be 
paid for. Thofe who drink the brackifh water of this place 
are often. attacked by ficknefs. It may eafily be conceived 
what an effect the extreme heat of the day, the cold of the 
night, the heavy dews, and the-putrid fmell, muft have on 
weak conftitutions. It is therefore no wonder, that of thofe 
who fall fick many die, and many more return home with 
fevers, fluxes, or other equally fatal diforders. 
The many difappointments ufually experienced by the 
lower clafles of men in particular, make them often repent 
of their coming here. They are often ruined, as they rifk 
all they are worth to purchafe pearl fhells: however, there 
are many inftances of their making a fortune beyond all ex- 
pectation. A particular circumftance of this kind fell within 
my own obferyation: a day labourer bought three oyfters * 
for a copper fanam, (about the value of two-pence,) and was 
fo fortunate as to find one of the largeft pearls which the 
fifhery produced this feafon. 
The donies appointed for the fifhery are not all procured 
at Ceylon; many came from the coafts of Coromandel and 
Malabar, each of which has its diftinguifhing number. 
About ten o’clock at night a gun ts fired as a fignal, when 
they fail from Condatchey sith an eafterly or land wind, 
under the direction of a pilot. If the wind continues fair, 
they reach the bank before day, and begin diving at fun-rife, 
which they continue till the weft or fea-breeze fets in, with 
which they return. The moment they appear in fight, the 
* The Eaft India pearl fhe!l is well known to be the matrix perlarum 
(mother-of-pearl) of Rumphius, or the Myzi/us margaritiferus of Linneus, 
confequently, the general term pearl-oyfter mutt be erroneous: however, 
a: it has aang been in common ule, i hope to be exculed for continuing it. 
colours 
