PEARLS AND PEARL FISHERIES. 53 



(246,110-83 dols.). The next fisheries were in 1874, when 1,700,000 

 pearl-oysters yielded 182,160 crowns' (48,818-88 dols.) worth of 

 pearls. In 1877 there were caught on thirty fishing days 6,850,000 

 pearl-oysters, yielding pearls to the value of 341,136 crowns 

 (91,424-45 dols.). The yield in 187 9 was unusually good, as twelve 

 fishing days yielded 7,650,000 pearl-oysters. In 1880 the fisheries 

 lasted from March 19th till April 2nd, and during these eleven 

 days 11,000,000 pearl-oysters were caught. In 1881 as many as 

 60,000, U00 were caught, yielding pearls to the value of 1,080,000 

 (289,440 dols.). These fisheries are now carried on according to 

 a well-regulated system. The divers receive their wages as soon 

 as they reach the coast. 



When the pearls have been gathered, they are classified in the 

 following manner : — 



(1) "Anie," pearl-eyes; that is, pearls of perfectly round shape and 

 pure lustre. 



(2) " Anathorie," that is, pearls which have a slight defect in either 

 of these respects. 



(3) "Masengoe," pearls which have defects in both these respects. 



(4) " Kalippo," pearls which are flat, and have other great defects. 



(5) "Korowel," faulty pearls, especially double pearls. 

 (G) " Peesal," misshaped pearls. 



(7) " Codwee," misshaped pearls of tolerably fine form. 



(8) " Manckmgoe," split pearls. 



(9) " Kural," very small misshaped pearls. 

 (10) " Thool," seed-pearls. 



In sorting the pearls they are first passed through a row of 

 baskets, ten or twelve in number. The eighth basket in the row 

 has twenty holes, and the pearls which do not pass through these 

 are said to have the " twentieth measure." The following baskets 

 have 30, 50, 80, 100, 200, 400, 600, 1000 holes, &c, and each 

 basket has its special name. After the pearls have been sorted 

 in this manner, they are weighed, and their value is noted. 



China has pearl fisheries near Pakhoi. The beds are divided 

 into four districts which lie between the south coast of the 

 peninsula of Pakhoi, the island of Weichow, and the peninsula of 

 Leichow. In 1875 these fisheries yielded pearls to the value of 

 about 162,000 crowns (43,416 dols.). Cochin China carries on an 

 extensive trade in mother-of-pearl, most of which comes to the 

 Bay of Tirwar. On the north coast of Japan considerable quan- 



