The Sooloo Archipelago. 137 



Gardens, Kevv, including black, red and green rice 

 and bearded paddy ; yet these do not exhaust the 

 varieties existing in Sooloo. 



But it is with the Bajans who reap the harvest 

 of the sea that our subject lies. During the months 

 of January, February, and March, when the North- 

 east monsoon is at its strongest, there is but little 

 done by these people, except perhaps shark-fishing 

 under the lee of the southern islands of the group, 

 But from April to December, Pearl-shell fishing 

 goes on more or less uninterruptedly. 



The boats used for this purpose are handsome 

 well-built little canoes with fine lines, and they are 

 capable of standing considerable weather. A double 

 outrigger of bamboo is used, and the usual Malay 

 triangle mast, so admirably adapted for small boats. 

 The sail is of grass matting, and the ropes are made 

 from the true Manila hemp grown in Sooloo. Mats 

 are spread over the canoe during the heat of the 

 day, and under these the occupants rest at their 

 ease. In such boats the Bajans or "sea-gipsies" 

 live with wife and children for months at a time, 

 wandering about and living on the produce of the 

 sea. 



Pearl shell is obtained in three different ways, 

 the natives of various places working according to 



