BI VAL VE MOLL USCA. 367 



water, the ordinary period being only thirty seconds. In order to 

 accelerate their descent, a large stone is attached to a rope. Accord- 

 ing to travellers the oars are used to rig out 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, weigh- 

 ing about fifty-six 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 the 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 pintadines 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 ; 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 sometimes 

 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 devote themselves to the 

 pearl fishery, the produce being estimated to reaUse at least ;z^8oo,ooo. 

 Fisheries analogous to those of Ceylon take place on the Persian 

 coast, on the Arabian Gulf, along the coast of Muscat, and in the 

 Red Sea. 



