33 



IV. 



NARRATIVE OF THE EXAMINATION OF THE PEARL 



BANK REGION. 



As knowledge of the observations made during the May cruises of the S.S. 

 "Margarita" is essential to a full understanding of my recommendations, it will 

 be convenient if I give the record in the character of a narrative altering as little as 

 possible the form in which it stands in my diary. 



No attempt is made to furnish extensive lists of the animals found. Single- 

 handed the task is an impossibility, while the limitations of time do not permit the 

 reference of the collections to specialists. I have however expended considerable 

 time and labour upon the identification of those organisms that are characteristic of 

 certain banks — all those that predominate or have special significance are either 

 signalized by name or by description. The present identification is sufficient for the 

 purposes of comparison ; the rarer and smaller animals may well be left for detailed 

 examination at a subsequent period. 



The programme of investigation which I mapped out before leaving Ceylon 

 consisted of three main lines — 



(a) The examination of the sea-bottom in the pearl-bank region on the Indian 

 side of the Gulf of Mannaar, for the purpose of the institution of both physical and 

 biological comparisons between these banks and those with which I am now so 

 intimately acquainted on the Ceylon side. 



(b) An enquiry into the present methods in use for the inspection of the banks, 

 and the means, if considered necessary, requisite to render the work of inspection 

 adequately effective. 



(c) A critical examination of the historical evidence available, inspection and 

 fishery reports in particular, in order to ascertain what localities the past records 

 demonstrate to be more favourably situated than others for bringing pearl oysters to 

 maturity. 



The present section deals almost entirely with the first mentioned of these lines 

 of enquiry ; the historical evidence gleaned during the trip is incorporated with other 

 data in another section. 



The Ceylon Pearl fishery closed by reason of unfavourable fishing weather on 

 April 22nd this year, but in the hope that the Indian coast might enjoy sufficient 

 shelter to permit of useful work being done ere the monsoon came on in "full fury, I 

 telegraphed my preparedness to Captain Carlyon, the Port Officer of Tuticorin. 

 Accordingly on the morning of the 26th, the S.S. " Margarita " arrived at Marichehu- 

 kadde under the command of Captain Carlyon who also acts as Superintendent of the 

 Indian Pearl Eanks. Some hours were occupied in the transfer of baggage and by 

 nightfall we proceeded for Pamban, having in tow three of the Ceylon inspection whale 

 boats. 



A heavy sea prevailed during the passage, rendering it one of much discomfort. 

 On arrival at Pamban the next morning, it was decided to make Tuticorin by the 

 sheltered passage formed by the string of islands that skirt the coast for the greater 

 part of the distance between these two ports. 



Anxious to see the important Muhammadan diving community of Lubbais * 

 settled at Kilakarai we put in there on the afternoon of April 27th. Accompanied 

 by Captain Carlyon I went ashore and by the courtesy of the Gomez family we were 

 enabled to interview the headmen of the divers in their house — Xavier Gomez, who 

 had been one of the assistant beach-masters at the Ceylon Fishery, acting as 

 interpreter. 



* In Ceylon tbeie men »re known at " Moormen." 



