XI, D, 4 Scale: Shells of Mindanao and Sulu 247 



the small islands directly north of Jolo and the Jolo channel 

 proper. These beds have been fished constantly for over one 

 hundred years, and they still yield a fair return of shells. At 

 the time of my inspection there were twenty-four pearling boats 

 operating on these beds. 



The Tapul pearl beds. — The Tapul pearl beds include the fol- 

 lowing islands and the small islets and shoals adjacent tb them : 

 Tapul, Bolipongpong, Siasi, Lapac, Sirun, Sulade, and Tapaan. 

 The channel between Lapac and Tapaan Islands, and the region 

 directly east of Tapul, seemed to afford the best fishing on these 

 beds. Twelve pearling boats were seen operating on the Tapul 

 beds. 



The Tawi Tatvi pearl beds. — The Tawi Tawi pearl beds in- 

 clude the following: Tawi Tawi, Maniacolat, Bubuan, Cacataan, 

 Sigboye, Tambagaan, Simaluc, Kuadbasang, Basbas, Tataan, 

 Bongao, Simonor, Manuc-manca, South Ubian, Tabawan, Bin- 

 toulan, Kinapusan, Magpeos, and Tagao Islands and the nu- 

 merous small islands and reefs south of Tawi Tawi. 



These beds probably comprise the richest pearling grounds 

 in the entire Archipelago. Twenty-one Moro pearling vintas 

 were seen operating their dredges on beds near Magpeos Island. 

 No pearling luggars were seen. A number of the above islands 

 have large Moro populations, which are regarded with consider- 

 able fear by the pearlers. On South Ubian Island alone I 

 counted two hundred Moro houses in the village. Many of these 

 people are engaged in primitive pearl fishing. 



The Sibutu pearl beds. — The Sibutu pearl beds include the is- 

 lands, reefs, and shoals west of Sibutu Passage. These beds 

 have not been properly prospected, and very little is definitely 

 known about them. A few years ago some shells were discovered 

 in the vicinity of Perdie Patches, and occasionally some pearl 

 shells are brought into Sitanki by the Moros. In 1908 I pros- 

 pected the large lagoon south of Sipanket, but without success. 

 However, it is probable that some rich beds will eventually be 

 located near Sibutu. 



The Laparan pearl beds. — The Laparan pearl beds include the 

 numerous small groups of islands which for the most part lie 

 well northward in the Sulu Sea. These comprise the twenty or 

 more islets known as the Pearl Bank Islands, also the following 

 islands and the adjacent banks, islets, and reefs : Laparan, Doc 

 Can, Deatobato, Cap, Sipang, Tubalubac, Dammi, Dasaan, Lahat- 

 lahat, Bambannan, Mamanuc, Billanguan, and Tagbabas. These 

 beds still contain many pearl oysters, and they could sustain the 

 operation of a large portion of the pearling fleet without damage. 



