ORDER UNIMUSCUL03A. 73 



right of fishing is sold to one individual, who sub-lets 

 boats to others. The fishery for the season of the yea r 

 1804 was let by government to an individual for no less 

 a sum than 120,000?. 



At the beginning of March, the fishery commenced, 

 and upwards of two hundred and fifty boats were em- 

 ployed in the fishery alone. These, with their crews, 

 and divers, and completely equipped with everything 

 necessary to conduct the business of the fishing, come 

 from different parts of the coast of Coromandel. After 

 going through various ablutions and incantations, and 

 other superstitious ceremonies, the occupants of these 

 boats embark at midnight, guided by pilots, and as soon 

 as they reach the banks, they cast anchor, and wait the 

 dawn of day. 



At about seven in the morning, when the rays of the 

 sun begin to emit some degree of warmth, the diving 

 commences. A kind of open scaffolding, formed of 

 oars and other pieces of wood, is projected from each 

 side of the boat, and from it the diving-tackle is sus- 

 pended, with three stones on one side, and two on the 

 other. The diving-stone hangs from an oar by a light 

 rope and slip-knot, and descends about five feet into the 

 water. It is a stone of fifty-six pounds' weight, of a 

 sugar-loaf shape. The rope passes through a hole in the 

 top of the stone, above which a strong loop is formed, 

 resembling a stirrup-iron, to receive the foot of the 

 diver. The diver wears no clothes, except a slip of 

 calico round his loins, — swimming in the water, he takes 

 hold of the rope, and puts one foot into the loop or 

 stirrup, on the top of the stone. 



He remains in this upright position for a little while, 

 supporting himself by the motion of one arm. Then a 



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