American Fisheries Society. 133 
Shima is the Rhode Island of Japan, being the smallest of all 
the Japanese provinces; and it has been celebrated from the 
earliest times, not for its clam bakes, but for its women divers, 
who are among the most expert of their class and among the 
most interesting people of Japan, inheriting through many gen- 
erations an aptitude for water hfe which makes them veritable 
human ducks. During a considerable part of the year they are 
in the water from five to seven hours daily, coming out about 
three times to warm themselves by fires kindled on the shore. 

DEMONSTRATION OF CORMORANT FISHING. 
The chief objects of their pursuit are pearl oysters, which 
abound in the clear, cold waters of this province. Gradually the 
valuable pearl-oyster grounds have passed into the possession of 
one proprietor, who is engaged in the growing of pearls by arti- 
ficial means and employs most of the divers. Those of ordinary 
ability receive the munificent salary of ten to twenty cents a day; 
but the most expert, like those clad in white who are giving a 
special exhibition for my benefit, are paid as much as thirty 
cents. Each diver has a tub in which the pearl-oysters are 
dropped as they are brought up. The average length of time the 
