14 



JOURNAL, K.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. X. 



THE PEARL FISHERIES OF CEYLON. 

 By G. Vane, Esq., c.m.g., late c.c.s. 



T this great and wonderful Exhibition of the power, 

 resources, and wealth of England's Colonial Empire, 

 the Ceylon Court, so admirably arranged, fully 

 exhibits her varied products, her beautiful pearls and gems, 

 her works of art, past and present ; and in many characteristics 

 vies, I think, with her great neighbour, India. 



These Conference Meetings having been instituted for the 

 representation and discussion of special interests connected 

 with each Colony, the Ceylon Commission consider the 

 Pearl Fisheries an appropriate one, in the fact that Ceylon 

 has, from the most ancient times, been famed for the beauty 

 and value of her pearls ; and therefore any information 

 connected therewith would be interesting. 



The Chairman, Sir James Longden, in introducing to your 

 notice the subject for to-day's representation, has, in very 

 kind and complimentary terms, told you that I would 

 describe the manner in which the Ceylon Pearl Fishing was 

 carried on, and that I was well able to do so from the 

 knowledge I had gained in conducting these Fisheries during 

 the years 1855-60. 



Sir James has also observed that the Pearl Fishing of 

 Ceylon was one of the most ancient — perhaps the most ancient 

 — industry of the world ; that it was carried on to-day as it 

 had been for two thousand to three thousand years ; and that 

 it owed little or nothing to modern civilisation in the manner 

 of getting from the depths of the sea that wonderful, beautiful 

 product of Nature — the Pearl. 



* Read at the Conference Meeting of the Colonial and Indian Exhibi- 

 tion, October 6, 1886 ; Sir J. R. Longden, g.cm.o., in the chair. 



