174 



COLLECTOR S RAMBLES 



Thus they start out for the shell banks, which are 

 often out of sight of land, covered with from fifty to 

 seventy-five feet of water. When the boat arrives at 

 the banks, the sail is lowered, the diver descends in his 



PEARL OYSTER AND PEARLS. 



water-tight armor, and, provided with a bag for the 

 oysters, he walks along on the sea bottom gathering 

 what may come in his way, as the boat slowly drifts 

 along on the surface. He has a signal communication 

 with the boat by means of a line, and as fast as he fills 



