306 SEALE. 



Tunis, Sardinia, Italy, Corsica, and at the Cape Verde Islands. Eight species of 

 precious coral have been described from Japan. These are Oorallium japonioum 

 Kishinouye, G. elatius Ridley, V. toshiiensis Kishinouye, G. sulcatum Kishinouye, 

 G. inisiUum Kishinouye, ''. inulile Kisliinouye, G. confusum Moroff, and G. konojoi 

 Kishinouye. Two spoeies, C. jolmsoni (Gray) and C maderense (Johnson), are 

 found in Madeira. C. shjlcifilcroides (Ridley) occurs in Mauritius, G. regince 

 (Hickson) is found in Timor, and C. scciinduin (Dana) has been found at Banda, 

 Ki Islands and in the Ha-waiiiin Islands. This constitutes the entire list of 

 established species of precious corals known to the present time. 



The vertical distribution of these corals in the sea varies from 5 to 500 or 

 more fathoms. They are found attached to rocks, dead shells, or dead coral ; 

 some species seem to prefer overhanging, submarine cliffs. 



In general the vertical distribution of the Japanese species ranges from 50 

 to 180 meters, while in the Mediterranean fisheries the work of obtaining the 

 coral is usually carried on in waters of much greater depth. 



FISHING FOB PBECIOUS COEAL. 



Fishing for precious coral is almost always carried on by means of various sorts 

 of dredges. In Japan the dredge consists' of a, rectangular bag net about 1.5 

 meters wide and 1 meter high, with a 13 centimeters mesh, this is fastened to 

 a frame of bamboo, tufts of old netting are fastened to the lower edge of the 

 net and at the sides. Tliese collect many broken coral branches. The coral 

 fishing boats are allowed to drift over the banks with the sails at half mast. The 

 net is allowed to touch the bottom and proceeds with a jerking motion. When 

 the fishermen think they have secured or fastened to coral they pull up the net. 



Tlie dredge used in the Mediterranean coral fisheries is of wood in the shape 

 of a large cross with a heavy stone attached to the extremity of the lower 

 arm and with coarse, twine hugs, of large mesh and with numerous tangles of 

 frayed ropes attached to the anterior arms. Numerous variations of tliis, as well 

 as ordinary tangles, are also used. 



USES AND VALUE OF PKECIGL'S COBAl,. 



The chief use of precious coral is in the manufacture of coral beads and 

 ornaments. It is first sorted into different grades, of which there are several 

 recognized in commerce; it is then cut into suitable pieces and all necessary holes 

 are drilled in it. It is then filed into any shape desired, and engraved. Next 

 it is polished with pumice stone and water, followed by a polish of very fine 

 chalk and water. Oil is never used on coral. 



The value of precious coral depends upon its color, form, and quantity. A 

 string of large uniform beads may be bought in Italy for 20 pesos, while a string 

 of beads of similar size but of the best quality will cost 400 pesos. Japanese 

 precious coral in its native state sells for from 100 to 500 pesos per kilogi-am, and 

 the best Mediterranean sells for twice these amounts. 



The export value of coral from Japan is about 500,000 pesos per year. 



THE CULTURE OF CORAL. 



The culture of precious corals has not received the careful scientific attention 

 that it should. 



G. nobils has been kept alive for some time in aquaria, and if it were planted 

 under natural conditions possibly it could be grown with profit. Careful ex- 

 perimenting along this line might lead to useful and valuable information. 



