234 Tim BOTTOM OF THE SEA. 



are but a few of the valuable substances which are 

 well known to be of oceanic origin. 



Ambition and the love of gold are an almost uni- 

 versal motive povver. Poverty and fear often supply 

 their place. The first attempts at circumnavigation 

 were made by daring sailors imbued with a desire to 

 make a rapid fortune. Sponges and pearls were long 

 procured exclusively by the labour of slaves. In 

 many parts of the world the old fashion is still fol- 

 lowerl, insofar that diving is the only means employed 

 to obtain those treasures of the deep. The process is 

 of the most primitive kind. On reaching the scene 

 of his labours, the adventurous diver detaches the 

 sponge from the rocks to which it is fastened ; nets 

 are suspended from boats and sunk within reach of 

 the workmen, who fill them with their spoil, and, 

 on a signal being given, the well-laden nets are drawn 

 up by a cord. 



Edible oysters inhabit the European and Indian 

 seas; they are very abundant on the French and 

 English coasts. Oyster-fishing is carried on by means 

 of a net furnished with a scraper, which is dragged 

 over the rocks to which the oysters are fixed. The 

 oysters detached from the bottom are accumulated in 

 the net, together with any other animals which ac- 

 company them. 



As Goldsmith relates, the unfortunates condemned 



