14 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the wooden cross, and a kind of grappling-iron (harrow) io 

 disentangle the hemp which may have become twisted round 

 rocks. Thus continuing their weary labours, the apparatus is 

 hauled on deck, and an eager search is made for coral amongst 

 the tangles. Every fragment is carefully picked out, and stored 

 for the owner of the boat, for no one employed in the fishery is 

 permitted to sell coral. 



Coral is separated into Dead Coral (or pourris), which is sold 

 at a price varying from 5-20 francs a kilogramme (21b. 8 oz.). 

 Black Coral, 12-15 francs per kilogramme. Coral in case (caisse), 

 45-70 francs a kilogramme (ordinary commercial coral). Choice 

 Coral, 400-500 francs per kilogramme,* including rose coral and 

 peau oVange (angel's skin), off Sicily and Straits of Messina. 

 The finest rose tint is worth £120 per oz. Rare kinds of pale 

 tints are worth twenty times their weight in gold (Simmonds). 

 It is occasionally milk-white. 



The large boats are valued at £550, and their outlay averages 

 about 11,000 francs per season. From 400 to 600 boats were 

 engaged in 1880 ; in 1871 there were 460 Italian boats, valued 

 at £80 and £160 each (Simmonds). About 6000 Italians and 

 Spaniards were occupied on the Algerian banks in 1864. In 

 1873 the Algerian fishery employed 311 vessels, manned by 

 3150 men, and yielded coral valued at £13,000. The Spanish 

 fishermen collect off the Cape Verde Islands about 24,760 lb. of 

 coral = £20,000. Large boats may collect from 650 to 850 lb. 

 of coral in the season, value from 13,000 francs to 24,000 francs. 

 If 250 kilogrammes are procured at 50 francs it covers expenses. 

 Foreign boats pay heavy dues for right to fish on the Algerian 

 coast. 



A diver's dress {Scaphandre) for the coral fishery in shallow 

 water has been suggested, but it appears to be unsuitable. The 

 same applies to a submarine boat. A steam capstan is a more 

 reasonable proposal. 



Coral is often perforated by sponges and annelids, besides 

 having externally various tubes of Sepula (Spirorbis), and other 

 encrusting forms. On the Spanish coast fine blood-red coral is 



* Some of the finest from Sicilian grounds and Straits of Messina is sent 

 to London and Birmingham, to be cut into lentils, and, as stated, is valued 

 at £80 to £'200 per oz. 



