292 PEARL BANKS OF SINDH. 



the former seldom realizes more than rs. 15 a 

 tola. From the supposition that it possesses 

 invigorating powers, it is used here chiefly as a 

 medicine. The larger grains are occasion ally- 

 made use of as personal ornaments ; the smaller 

 ones to intermix with the valuable Bahrein 

 pearls, in which manner they are kept in bags 

 by the Bombay merchants, as a means of pre- 

 serving their lustre. 



"About the latter end of the year 1836 the 

 Ameers of Sindh first became aware of the ex- 

 istence of this description of pearl oyster on 

 their coast, by a money tender having been 

 made for the exclusive privilege of fishing them. 

 The banks, called Kenjur, at the entrance to 

 Gharra Creek, were consequently let out for 

 one year for Kashanee rs. 650. The farmer 

 must have profited well, as in the year follow- 

 ing they were let for rs. 1300 annually for a 

 consecutive period of two years. Subsequently 

 to operations being commenced, a higher offer 

 was received by the Ameers, who, with that 

 want of faith which characterized them when a 

 prospect of gain presented itself, gave orders 

 for the immediate ejectment of the original 

 holder of the farm. Similar circumstances 



