PEAEL FISHEKIES. 357 



A good diver, we have said, seldom remains more than thirty 

 seconds under water at one time ; but he repeats the operation three 

 or four, and, in favourable circumstances, even fifteen or twenty times. 

 The labour is extremely severe. On returning to the boat they some- 

 times discharge water tinged with blood by the mouth, nose, and ears. 

 They are also exposed to great danger from sharks, which lie in wait 

 for and frequently devour the unhappy divers. 



They continue to fish till mid-day, when a second gun gives the 

 signal to cease. The proprietors wait on shore for their boats, in 

 order to superintend their discharge, which must take place before 

 night sets in, in order to prevent concealment and robbery. 



In past times the Ceylon fisheries were very valuable. In 1797 

 they are said to have produced 144,000, and in 1798 as much as 

 192,000. In 1802 the fisheries were farmed for 120,000 ; but for 

 many years the banks have been less productive, and are now said to 

 yield only the sum of 20,000 per annum. 



The natives of the Bay of Bengal, those of the Chinese coast, of 

 Japan, and the Indian Archipelago, all abandon themselves to the 

 pearl fishery, the produce being estimated to realize at least 800,000. 

 Fisheries analogous to those of Ceylon take place on the Persian coast, 

 on the Arabian Gulf, along the coast of Muscat, and in the Eed Sea. 



In these countries the pearl fishing does not commence till the 

 months of July and August, the sea being at that time calmer than 

 in other months of the year. Arrived on their fishing-ground, the 

 fishermen range their barques at a proper distance from each other, and 

 cast anchor in water from eight to nine fathoms deep. The process 

 is pursued here in a very simple manner. When about to descend 

 the divers pass a cord, the extremity of which communicails with a 

 bell placed in the barque, under the armpits ; they put cotton in their 

 ears, and press the nostrils together with a piece of wood or horn ; 

 they close their mouths hermetically, attach a heavy stone to their 

 feet, and at once sink to the bottom of the sea, where they gather 

 indiscriminately all shells within their reach, which they throw into a 

 bag suspended round the haunches. When they require to breathe 

 they sound the bell, and immediately they are assisted in their 

 ascent. 



On the oyster-banks off the Isle of Bahrein the pearl fishery pro- 

 duces about 240,000 ; and if we add to this the addition furnished 



