20 



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



[Vol. X. 



All the shells being removed, the water is baled out 

 through sieves and cloths to arrest any pearls so taken up, 

 and then a mass of putrid flesh, matter, sand, and small shells 

 remains. This being carefully cleaned by repeated washings, 

 is laid on cloths in the sun, and when thoroughly dried the 

 larger pearls are collected by hand and the smaller sifted for. 



During this process every precaution is taken that no 

 pearls are lost, every article used being washed through 

 sieves of the smallest size. 



The same process is carried out by the buyers of the pearl 

 oysters, as opening before decomposition of the flesh could 

 not be done with the many thousands bought by speculators, 

 and, if so opened, would entail loss of pearls, especially of 

 the small kind generally embedded in the flesh. 



The washing of oysters for pearls is carried on by the 

 buyers during the fishing, and the outturn influences their 

 purchases. 



The work and trials of a pearl collector are great, in the 

 incessant supervision needed during washing, the anxieties 

 and excitement as to results, and the intolerable stench 

 proceeding from this heap of putrid oysters. 



All this he has daily to bear for four or five weeks, or until 

 he has secured the outturn of his speculation in pearl oysters. 



Good, and often large, profits are made by speculators- — a 

 deserved recompense for all they undergo in this very trying 

 method of money-making. 



Valuing of Pearls. 



Having described the process of washing and collecting 

 pearls, I now briefly note the manner of sorting, sizing, 

 classing, and valuing. 



These operations are carried out by four pearl dealers, most 

 of the Moorman class. Each of the four has his vocation : one 

 sifts, another classes, the third weighs, and the fourth, as 

 accountant, records results, all which occupy much time, need 

 great judgment, and cause much discussion, owing to 

 differences of opinion. 



