306 SEALE. 



Tunis, Sardinia, Italy, Corsica, and at the Cape Verde Islands. Eight species of 

 precious coral have been described from Japan. Tliese are Corallium japonicum 

 Kishinouye, G. elatius Ridley, C. hoshuensis Kishinouye, G. sulcaUim Kishinouye, 

 G. pusillum Kishinouye, C. inutile Kisliinouye, C. confusum Moroff, and G. konojoi 

 Kishinouye. Two species, G. johiisoni (Gray) and C. maderense (Jo)inson), are 

 found in Madeira. C. stylasteroides (Ridley) occurs in Mauritius, G. reginw 

 (Hickson) is found in Timor, and G. secundum (Dana) has been found at Banda^ 

 Ki Islands and in the Hawaiian Islands. This constitutes the entire list of 

 established species of precious corals known to the present time. 



The vertical distribution of these corals in tlie sea varies from 5 to 500 or 

 more fathoms. They are found attached to rocks, dead shells, or dead coral ; 

 some species seem to prefer overhanging, submarine cliffs. 



In general the vertical distribution of the Japanese species ranges from 50 

 to 180 meters, while in the Mediterranean fisheries the work of obtaining the 

 coral is usually carried on in waters of much greater depth. 



FISHING FOB PEECIOtTS CORAL. 



Fishing for precious coral is almost always carried on by means of various sorts 

 of dredges. In Japan the dredge consists of a rectangular bag net about 1.5 

 meters wide and 1 meter high, with a 13 centimeters mesh, this is fastened to 

 a frame of bamboo, tufts of old netting are fastened to the lower edge of the 

 net and at the sides. These collect many broken coral branches. The coral 

 fishing boats are allowed to drift over the banks with the sails at half mast. The 

 net is allowed to touch the bottom and proceeds with a jerking motion. When 

 the fishermen think they have secured or fastened to coral they pull up the net. 



The dredge used in the Mediterranean coral fisheries is of wood in the shape 

 of a large cross with a heavy stone attached to the extremity of the lower 

 arm and with coarse, t^vine bags of large mesh and with numerous tangles of 

 frayed ropes attached to the anterior arms. Numerous variations of this, as well 

 as ordinary tangles, are also used. 



USES AND VALUE OF PRECIOUS CORAL. 



The cliief use of precious coral is in the manufacture of coral beads and 

 ornaments. It is first sorted into diflerent grades, of which there are several 

 recognized in commerce; it is then cut into suitable pieces and all necessary holes 

 are drilled in it. It is then filed into any shape desired, and engraved. Next 

 it is polished with pumice stone and water, followed by a polish of very fine 

 chalk and water. Oil is never used on coral. 



The value of precious coral depends upon its color, form, and quantity. A 

 string of large uniform beads may be bought in Italy for 20 pesos, while a string 

 of beads of similar size but of the best quality will cost 400 pesos. Japanesa 

 precious coral in its native state sells for from 100 to 500 pesos per kilogram, and 

 the best Mediterranean sells for twice these amounts. 



The export value of coral from Japan is about 500,000 pesos per year. 



THE CULTURE OF CORAL. 



The culture of precious corals lias not received the careful scientific attention 

 that it should. 



G. nobils has been kept alive for some time in aquaria, and if it were planted 

 under natural conditions possibly it eculd be grown with profit. Careful ex- 

 perimenting along this line might lead to useful and valuable information. 



