16 



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



[Vol. X. 



why not be attributed to the distinctive character of the 

 species and the inherent quality of the pearl oyster ? 



The pearl oyster is distinct from the common edible 

 oyster. It somewhat resembles the latter in shape, but its 

 valves are thinner, and it is provided with a byssus, commonly 

 called cable, by which it holds on to rocks and other sub- 

 stances on the bottom. The meat is different to that of the 

 common oyster, being much thicker, fatter, and slimy ; and 

 if they do live to the age when pearls are found therein, they 

 are in beds of millions, thus showing, I think, that it is health 

 and natural causes, and not disease or forced substance, that 

 create pearls. 



Pearl Banks. 



Pearl banks, or "paars" as they are called, are believed to 

 extend all along the north-west coast of Ceylon, from 

 Negombo to Mannar ; and the charts and records give the 

 names and positions of nineteen paars, but the larger por- 

 tion of them have not yielded fisheries, either to the Dutch 

 or English Governments, the Kondachchi Paar having only 

 been fished in 1801, the Chilaw Paar in 1803 and 1815, the 

 Karaitivu Paar in 1832, and the Peri Karai Paar in 1833, 1835, 

 and 1886 ; the Chevval and Mddragam Paars having before, 

 as now, been main sources, from whence the large, though 

 precarious, pearl fisheries and revenues have been derived. 



The more general productiveness of the Chevval and Modra- 

 gam Paars is, I believe, attributable to their position affording 

 a degree of protection from the influences of the weather and 

 currents, to which causes are attributable the disappearance, 

 before arriving at maturity, of many beds of young oysters. 

 Fish, snakes, and chanks destroy an enormous number; 

 currents carry them away into deep water, and drops of 

 sand cover them. 



Series of Fisheries. 



Notwithstanding that long lapses have occurred between 

 each series of fisheries, the Arippu Paars have yielded large 



