THE SEA. 



a signal gun. Each boat's crew consists of twenty hands and a negro. The rowers 

 are ten in number. The divers divide themselves into two groups of five men each, 

 who labour and rest alternately ; they descend from forty to fifty feet, seventy being 

 about the utmost they can accomplish, and eighty seconds the longest period the best 

 diver can remain under water, the ordinary period being only thirty seconds. In order 

 to accelerate their descent a large stone is attached to a rope. The oars are used to form 



a stage, across which planks are 

 laid over both sides of the boat ; 

 to this stage the diving-stone is 

 suspended. This stone is in the 

 form of a pyramid, weighing 

 thirty or more pounds ; the cord 

 which sustains it sometimes 

 carries in its lower part a sort of 

 stirrup to receive the foot of the 

 diver. At the moment of his 

 descent he places his right foot 

 in this stirrup, or, where there is 

 no such provision, he rests it on 

 the stone with the cord between 

 his toes. In his left foot he 

 holds the net which is to receive 

 1he bivalves; then seizing with 

 his right hand a signal cord 

 conveniently arranged for this 

 purpose, and pressing his nostrils 

 with the left hand, he dives, 

 holding himself vertically, and 

 balancing himself over his foot. 

 Each diver is naked, except for 

 a band of calico which surrounds 

 his loins. Having reached the 

 bottom, he withdraws his foot 

 from the stone, which ascends 

 immediately to the stage. The diver throws himself on his face, and begins to gather 

 all the proper shells within his reach, placing them in his net. When he wishes to 

 ascend he pulls the signal cord, and is drawn up with all possible expedition. A good 

 diver seldom remains more than thirty seconds under water at one time, although some 

 can remain considerably longer, but he repeats the operation three or four, and, in 

 favourable circumstances, even fifteen or twenty times. The labour is extremely severe, 

 and they are short-lived. On returning to the boat they sometimes discharge water 

 tinged with blood by the mouth, nose, and ears. They are also exposed to great danger 

 from sword-fish and sharks, which lie in wait for and frequently devour the unhappy 



PEARL OYSTER (MelMffrina marffaritifera). 



