CHAPTER XIV. 

 OTHER METHODS OF PEARL FISHING. 



THE appliances and methods which have been de- 

 scribed in the preceding chapters can be used in 

 rather deep water, but the implements and 

 methods described here can only be used in the more 

 shallow waters. They might properly be classified as 

 shoal fishing appliances and methods. 



One of the most important tools for use in pearl hunt- 

 ing in shallow water is the shell tongs. The most ap- 

 proved style are the Coke Fork Tongs, which are made 

 from two coke forks. The points of the tines are cut 

 off a few inches from the ends, and the forks are ironed 

 and riveted together something like scissors are joined, 

 and they are mounted on poles of any length desired. 

 Vegetable forks may also be used in making shell tongs, 

 but their tines are farther apart so they are not quite so 

 serviceable in gathering smaller shells. 



There is another implement known as the "Scissor 

 Rake," which is similar to the tongs, except that rakes 

 are used in making them instead of forks. They are not 

 so popular as the tongs. A view of the shell tongs may 

 be seen in Fig. 34. 



In using the tongs, the pearl hunter moves his boat 

 directly over a portion of the mussel bed where the 



137 



