12 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The rate of growth is still uncertain. Some assert that 

 coral grows with tolerable rapidity, and that articles thrown 

 into the sea will in a few months be studded with small speci- 

 mens. Others, again, hold that it takes twenty years to produce 

 an axis as thick as the forefinger. 



Previous to the sixteenth century the coral fishery was con- 

 trolled by the Italians ; thereafter for a short time it was in the 

 hands of the Spaniards ; then the French held it till 1793, the 

 centre of the trade being Marseilles, when the Eevolution threw 

 it open. Though the British Government took charge of the 

 fisheries for a short time (1806), the industry since that period 

 has been mainly Italian. 



The coral fishery is carried out in decked boats of two sizes, 

 viz. six and fourteen to sixteen tons. The former are chiefly 

 French, though manned by Italians ; the latter Italian, mostly 

 from Torre del Greco, where the inhabitants are nearly all 

 engaged in this fishery, either as fishermen or manufacturers of 

 coral brought on shore. Smaller boats without a capstan are 

 also used by the Spaniards, and with only three or four men 

 on board, whereas the former have respectively six and ten or 

 twelve men. Many of the men come from the coast of Tuscany, 

 a few are Genoese, most are Neapolitan, and more especially 

 from Torre del Greco (near the foot of Vesuvius). No French 

 crews will undertake the work. In the large boats is a captain, 

 a second in command, and eight or ten fishermen. The best 

 fishermen get from four hundred to five hundred francs for the six 

 summer months. The greater number get from two hundred to 

 three hundred francs.* The fishing season is from March till 

 October, but weather permitting it may be prosecuted at all times. 

 Whilst the food of the men consists chiefly of biscuits and 

 water, Italian pie, and a few vegetables, their muscular exertions 

 are very great as well as long-continued, since they work night 

 and day — often in the broiling sun of the African shores — 

 relieving each other in shifts of six hours. The hardships of 

 the life are, indeed, a byword. 



* Sirnmonds (' Commercial Produce of Sea ') says from £'20 to £24, and 

 the masters twice as much. See also ' Nature,' vol. 25, p, 511 (March 30th, 

 1882), for a letter from Messrs. Greek & Co., describing the Italian coral 

 fishery. 



