XI, D, 4 Scale: Shells of Mindanao and Sulu 249 



eluded all of the beds adjacent to the coast of Mindanao in one 

 group; later it may be convenient to subdivide it into smaller 

 groups. 



PRESENT CONDITION OF PEARL BEDS 



The Jolo pearl beds have been fished more persistently and 

 for a longer period than any of the other beds in the Philippines, 

 and one would rather expect to find them in an exhausted condi- 

 tion. However, numerous young shells of various sizes were 

 found on these beds, and the following account of actual diving 

 operations will illustrate the condition in regard to adult shells. 



On May 23, 1914, I was on board the pearler Eng Lee, which 

 was operating near the center of Jolo Channel, directly in front 

 of the town of Jolo. The diver, a Filipino mestizo, made three 

 dives of twenty minutes each during the morning, in a depth 

 of 17 fathoms. For the first dive twelve large, fine shells were 

 secured ; for the second dive, seven ; and for the third dive, seven ; 

 a total of twenty -six shells for- sixty minutes of actual work. 

 The weight of these shells, cleaned, was 26 kilograms, an average 

 of 1 kilogram per pair. The Tawi Tawi and Laparan beds are 

 in good condition and could be worked at a profit by the pearlers, 

 there being many adult shells even in water of not over 14 

 fathoms. Shells are especially abundant in the vicinity of La- 

 hatlahat Island, and there are several places near South Ubian 

 that were reported to me as rich in shells. There is a fair 

 growth of young shells on these beds. 



In the vicinity of Bongao some valuable pearls have recently 

 been found; these beds have quantities of young shells and are 

 in good condition. 



The Tapul beds have been fished persistently during the past 

 year, and a good yield of shells and some valuable pearls have 

 resulted. There are still many shells on these beds, but for 

 the most part in waters too deep for safe diving. 



The Pangutarang beds, being for the most part in shallow 

 water, have in many places been overfished, and while there are 

 doubtless rich patches to be found, very few either adult or 

 young shells were located. 



The Pilas beds also have been overfished, and only a very 

 few scattered shells are to be found. An entire day's work with 

 a pearling luggar yielded but six shells; the second day's work 

 yielded but ten shells. The Samales beds have yielded many 

 shells and pearls during the past year and will probably continue 

 to give fair results for years to come. Large patches of dead 

 shells have occasionally been found on these beds. They were 



