404 AN ACCOUNT OF THE 



hammer ovfter, and was fomewhat wounded, thought 

 he was bit bv a {hark, consequently made the ufual 

 fignal, which caufed many boats to return; for which 

 rnirtake he was afterwards punifhed. 



The owners of tlie boats # fometimes fell their 

 oyfters. and at other times open them on their own 

 account. In the latter cafe fome put them on mats 

 in a fquare, furrounded with a fence; others dig 

 holes of almoft a foot deep, and throw them in till the 

 animal dies; after which they open the'fhclls and 

 take out the pearls with more eafe. Even thefe fquares 

 and holes are fold by auction after the fiihery is 

 hniihecl, as pearls often remain there, mixed with the 

 land. 



In fpite of every care, tricks in picking, out the 

 pearls from the oyfters can hardly be prevented. In 

 the natives are extremely dexterous. The fol- 

 lowing is one mode they put in practice to effect their 

 purpoie: when a boat owner employs a number of 

 pie to collect pearls, he places over them an 

 infpector of his own, in whom he can confide; thefe 

 hirelings previously agree that one of them (hall play 

 the part of a thief, and bear the punifnment, to give 

 his comrades an opportunity of pilfering. If one of 

 pens to meet with a large pearl, he makes 

 to his accotnj lice, who inftantly conveys away 

 one : all value, piirpofcly, in fuch a manner as to 

 n • ■- On this the infpector and the reft of 

 c pearl from him : he is then punifhed 

 and turned oul : their company. In the mean rime, 

 he is n dreadful uproar, the real thief 



able pearl, and afterwards the booty 

 i-s 1 • who fuffered for them all. 



the boat owners and pur- 



r.'hic] farm one or more I from 



Reflion of tliera only di 

 hey are triers ol 



cha 



