CHAPTER XI. 



Ceylon Pearl Fisheries. 



These spoils of Neptune, th' Indian ocean boasts." 



— Marbodus. 



HE Pearl fisheries of Ceylon — the 

 *' Taprobane " of ancient classical 

 writers — are of great antiquity, and 

 were well-known to the Phoenicians, who traded 

 there for Pearls. The first Europeans who 

 obtained firm footing in Ceylon were the Portu- 

 guese. In 1506 the ruler of the island undertook 

 to pay them a yearly tribute of spices and Pearls, 

 from which they derived a considerable revenue. 

 In 1640 the Dutch obtained power, and seized 

 upon the Pearl fishery. The fishing took place 

 every third year, but in consequence of a dispute 

 between the Dutch and the rajah, the fishing at 

 Manaar was forbidden, and from 1768 to 1796 



