54 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



tities of Haliotis gigantea are caught, which is highly prized by 

 both the Japanese and Chinese. 



The Philippine Islands produce large quantities of mother-of- 

 pearl. In 1877, 155 tons were exported ; in 1878, 152 tons, valued 

 at 307,314 crowns (82,360-15 dols.) ; in 1879 the yield amounted 

 to 288,810 crowns (77,401'08 dols.). The entire region from the 

 island of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu to Baselan is one cotinuous bed of 

 pearl-oysters. Here the Malays and Chinese fish in common. 

 The Sulu fisheries, near Tawi-Tawi, are, according to the state- 

 ment of an Englishman (Mr. Moore), the largest and most 

 productive of all the pearl fisheries in the East Asiatic seas. 

 The pearls which are caught here have always been famous, and 

 the mother-of-pearl is distinguished by its yellow lustre, which 

 makes it suitable for many purposes. Labuan is the principal 

 market for the produce of Sulu. In 1868 the value of these pearl 

 fisheries was 207,972 crowns (55,736-50 dols.) ; in 1870 it fell to 

 102,348 crowns (27,429-26 dols.) ; and up to 1878 it fell still more. 

 Macassar is the principal market for the natives from Bayos. In 

 the Kau Bay there are found pearl beds belonging to the Sultan 

 of Ternate. Pearls and mother-of-pearl are found near the island 

 of Aru, and are brought to market at Debbo. The principal 

 place where these fisheries are carried on, however, is Blakong 

 Tanah, opposite the island of New Guinea ; and these are really 

 the most important fisheries in the entire archipelago. The yield 

 in 1860 amounted to 133,000 crowns (35,644 dols.). The island 

 of Timor has pearl beds, but the yield is small. 



The most important pearl fisheries in Queensland are in 

 the hands of Sydney capitalists. The fisheries are carried on 

 by Malays, who dive to a deptli of six fathoms. The pearl- 

 oyster from Torres Strait generally weighs from three to six 

 pounds, and sometimes as much as ten pounds. 



The pearl fisheries on the north-west coast of Australia 

 employ a large number of Malays and natives as divers. The 

 fisheries last from the end of September till the end of March. 

 It has not yet been possible to ascertain the extent of the beds; 

 it is supposed, however, that they extend as far as the Gulf of 

 Carpentaria. The fisheries are carried on for the shells, but fre- 

 quently yield pearls of considerable valne. These shells are the 

 best which are known. They weigh from l£ to 6 pounds a pair. 

 The export duty is 72 crowns (19-30 dols.) per ton. The oldest 



