THE TECHNOLOGIST. [July 1, 1864. 



546 PEARL FISHERY OP CEYLON. 



Werd Khetmi, Ar. Mash melon. — Native produce. Price 3^d. per lb. 



Werd Rumman, Ar. Pomegranate flowers (Punica granatum). — 

 Native produce. Sold at 3^d. per lb. Rumman, Ar., and Nar, Pers., of 

 Seligmann. Kilkul and Rana are also Arabic names. 



Wushak, Ar. Gum ammoniacum (Dorema ammoniacum). — Im- 

 ported from Persia and sold at 3£d. per lb. Eschak, Ar., Seligmann. 

 Sometimes also written Ooshak. 



Zap aran, Ar. Saffron (Crocus sativus). — Obtained from Persia. 

 Sold at 4 piastres per miscal. "Written Safran, Ar., by Seligmann. 

 Koorkum and Zafran are given by Dr. Birdwood as Arabic names, and 

 Kerkum as tbe Persian. 



Zahr es Samak, Ar. Cocculus Indicus (Anamirta cocculus). — Im- 

 ported from India, and realise 3|d. per lb. troy. Not included in the 

 ' Liber Fund. Pharm.' 



Zenjepil, Ar. Ginger (Zinziber officinale). — Obtained from India. 

 Price 3^d. per lb. Zinebeel-ruib, Ar., and Zinjebeel-tur, Pers., of Dr. 

 Birdwood. 



PEARL FISHERY OF CEYLON. 



The fishery usually takes place in the month of March, when the sea 

 is calm and the currents least perceptible. 



The process is as follows : The whole of the boats assembled are 

 numbered and divided into two squadrons, the red and the blue, each 

 consisting generally of sixty or seventy boats. The squadrons fish alter- 

 nately. Each boat has its company, five diving stones, and two divers 

 to each stone. All the men are numbered as well as the boat, and in 

 the Kottoo there are divisions with corresponding numbers, so that each 

 boat knows the precise spot where its oysters are to be deposited. 



The squadron starts usually between eleven and twelve p.m., so as 

 to reach the fishing ground by sunrise. The banks are about twelve 

 miles from the shore. As soon as the boats have arrived, the signal is 

 given, and the diving-stones go over the sides of the boats with a low 

 rumbling noise. One diver goes down with each. The other holds the 

 signal rope, watches the motions of his comrade, draws up first the 

 stone, then the net in which the oysters are lodged as torn from the 

 bank, and then the diver himself. Each pair of divers keep their 

 oysters separate from the rest in large nets or baskets, so that luck and 

 labour determine the remuneration of the pair. 



When one man is tired the other takes his place ; but they do not 

 dive alternately, as too much time would be lost by changing. The 

 man who has been down, after remaining a minute or so upon the sur- 



