204 Pearls. 



not an uncommon thing, when such orders are not 

 insisted upon, that under the pretence of chewing 

 the betel, they adroitly slip into the mouth any 

 rare Pearl, and effectually hide it from the owner; 

 indeed, cases have been known in which the more 

 adventurous have swallowed several Pearls. However, 

 such precautions were taken that the chance of 

 their so cunningly disposing of the gems could only 

 occur on any occasional absence or slight inattention 

 of the overseers. 



Considering the magnitude of the undertaking, 

 it was impossible to entirely control the thievish 

 propensities of the native coolies, who have a very 

 low standard of morality. Robbery is considered 

 by no means a disgrace, or even a wrong, unless 

 detected. Nevertheless a satisfactory result was 

 obtained as regards the actual net receipt of Pearls. 

 It is true that not many large or fine gems were 

 found, but the quantity of small ordinary Pearls was 

 very good, and reached a total of some thousands 

 of grains. The largest Pearls, which attained an 

 average weight of about 9 or ten grains each, were 

 very round and well-shaped, but unfortunately were 

 not of the best colour. 



The most unfortunate condition of the Pearl 

 fishery was the avarice of the government, who in 



