COUAL 613 



the one compensates for the other. A boat working on the African coast collects on an 

 average 150 kilogi-ams per annum of coral worth 75 francs per kilogram ; on the Sardinian 

 coast a total weight of 190 kilograms, worth 50 francs per kilogram, will be collected 

 annually, while in the neighbourhood of Corsica is obtained 210 kilograms of material 

 valued at 45 francs per kilogram. 



The total weight of coral collected during the last decade by boats flying the Italian 

 flag amounted to not less than 56,000 kilograms, the value of which was 4,200,000 francs. 

 In Algeria the yearly yield amounted to 10,000 kilograms, and was valued at 750,000 

 francs. The 60 Spanish ships brought in about 800,000 francs' worth, or 12,000 kilograms. 

 The amount collected by vessels other than Italian boats is estimated to have been 22,000 

 kilograms, of the value of 1,550,000 francs ; so that, all sources considered, there nuist have 

 been collected every year of that particular decade on an average 78,000 kilograms of coral, 

 of a total value of 5,750,000 francs (i^230,000). 



Rough coral before being placed on the market is sorted, and there is often a 

 considerable difference between the mean market values of different classes of material. 

 There is also a very striking discrepancy between the price of rough coral and that 

 of finished ornaments. 



The different qualities of rough coral are as follow : 



i. Dead or rotten coral. This includes the disc-like foot of the coral-stock and 

 also the lower portion of the main stem. The foot is often found still clinging to the 

 stone to which the colony was attached ; both it and the base of the stem are so encrusted 

 with animal and vegetable growths of various kinds that it is impossible to judge of 

 the quality of the coral beneath. The purchase of this class of material, at a price of from 

 5 to 20 francs per kilogram, is of the nature of a speculative transaction, for the removal of 

 the unpromising outer crust sometimes discloses very valuable pieces of coral. The broad 

 foot-plates are not infrequently worked into small dishes and bowls. 



ii. Black Coral. — This includes coral in which the change of colour is not merely 

 superficial but extends through the whole or a large part of its substance. When of good 

 quality it is worth from 12 bo 15 francs per kilogram, and is used for mourning ornaments. 

 Black coral of quite another kind will be mentioned further on. 



iii. Ordinary Red Qiudity. — In this class is placed red coral of all kinds, irrespective of 

 shape and of form and size ; it embraces alike whole stocks and broken fragments. The 

 price ranges from 45 to 70 francs per kilogram, according to the character of the coral. 



iv. Selected Pieces. — Pieces of coral of exceptional size or beauty constitute this class. 

 They are sold by weight either separately or in parcels, and fetch as much as, or even more 

 than, 500 francs per kilogram. 



Among the factors which determine the price of a single piece of coral, colour is the 

 most important. According to the caprice of fashion, now this shade of colour, now that, 

 commands the highest price. Thus, at one time bright-red coral found most favour, but in 

 Europe at the present time the coral most admired is that of a fresh rose colour, known to 

 the Italians as -pelle d^ai^gelo. This same shade stands first also in the regard of the 

 inhabitants of East India and China, the countries which receive the largest exports of 

 coral. Well-formed pieces of coral of this colour, even though of small size, will fetch 

 100 francs or more. The taste for coral of this shade is not universal however, the Arabs, 

 for example, still prefer the bright-red shade. 



The working of coral is for the most part also an Italian industry, very little beino- 

 worked in Spain or in France. It is very common, however, for coral which has been 

 worked in Italy to be sent to France and Spain to be set, sometimes with diamonds and 



