320 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XI. 



possible that these crabs live parasitically in the oysters (see Theobald, page 

 128). It is noticable, too, with regard to the remark made there, that it is to 

 the presence of these small crabs that the nnhealthiness of the mussel is 

 attributed, that the Burmans regard the oyster as very unwholesome ; but the 

 reason they give is the presence of a minute worm found in nearly every 

 shell. Even when this worm is extracted, the Burman will not eat the oyster 

 uncooked, though I swallowed several without feeling any ill effects. 



In the Agricultural Ledger, No. 36, of 1896, page 5, an opinion of Dr. Alcock 

 is quoted to the effect that the pearl fishery is not likely to interfere with the 

 turtle banks, because the turtle prefer reefs and Placuna a muddy bottom. 

 As to this, I would remark that all along the mouth of the Thekithoung 

 river, where Placuna are found in large numbers, the turtle known as laithwe 

 comes up to lay its eggs in the season from the month of September to that 

 of December. If men were allowed to dive at night off the banks where the 

 turtle come, I think there can be no doubt that the turtle would be scared 

 away. It may be, and probably is, correct that turtle prefer reefs, but they 

 do not by any means select the sands nearest the reefs to lay their eggs. If 

 they did so, they would not go up the Thekithoung river, but would remain 

 out at sea and near Diamond Island. The turtle known as laitpyintha never 

 come near the river, but remain out at Diamond Island, whereas the number 

 of laithwe which lay there is very small. Out of 50 or 60 I saw on the island 

 I only saw one laithwe. 



Begarding the remark of the same gentleman, that it is unwise to interfere 

 with the poor people who collect Placuna, I think in future that in selling 

 the right to collect oysters it should be stipulated that the villagers should 

 be allowed to take what they want for their own consumption, as the number 

 they would take would be insignificant compared to the numbers taken by 

 the lessee. 



Probably 30,000 at most would supply the wants of the villagers. 



Theobald states, page 127, that the true pearl oyster is found all along 

 the Arakan Coast. The lessee of tbat part of the district recently went up 

 the coast with a view to working these pearl fisheries, but I have not yet 

 heard the result of this attempt. 



I have not entered into the question as to whether the fisheries should 

 be sold yearly as in the last two years, as I have not been asked to do so. 

 I think, however, if the villagers are allowed to take what they want for their 

 own consumption that the fisheries might be put up to auction as heretofore. 

 If not sold, it is certain that they will be poached by Natives of India. 

 There would hardly seem to be any necessity for insisting on a close season, 

 as the monsoon itself puts an end to all oyster-collecting. Possibly the 

 fisheries should only be sold for three years and then allowed to lie fallow 

 for, say, two years. 



[From the Agricultural Ledger, No. II, 1897.] 



