No. 34. — 1887.] PEAEL FISHERIES OF CEYLON. 



23 



the fishing boats can daily go to and from the pearl banks — 

 distant from the shore from eight to twelve miles. 



This village affords space for all the needs of a fishery, 

 and is too far distant from any place for its results to be 

 the cause of annoyance to any but those whom duty or 

 inclination collect on the spot. 



Before the end of February Salapatturai is thronged with 

 a population of many thousands, — pearl merchants, buyers, 

 traders, beggars, divers, boatmen, boat-owners, coolies, and 

 visitors, — brought thither by the varied interests of the fishery, 

 all combining to form what may be called an Eastern Fair. 

 There may be seen the light brown Sinhalese with 

 beautiful long black hair confined with a large comb, effemi- 

 nate in appearance as compared with the dark Tamil by 

 his side, and the generally burly, strong, shrewd Moorman ; 

 then the varied tribes of the Chetty caste, some with peculiar 

 hats and turbans, others in coats with jewelled buttons and 

 large earrings, some only in simple white sarong around the 

 loins and loosely thrown over the dark well-formed shoulders. 

 All these varied costumes, corresponding to country, caste, 

 and class, set forth the human form in the East in a manner 

 far more picturesque and characteristic than the fashions of 

 the West can do. 



Throughout February boats arrive with the sea breeze, laden 

 with men, women, and children, and the materials for their 

 trades and habitations. It is wonderful, considering the long 

 distances these open boats come from the continent of India, 

 that loss of life seldom occurs. 



By the end of February the barren sand village of 

 Salapatturai is filled with five thousand or six thousand 

 persons, housed in kajan buildings, according to the means 

 or caste of the resident. 



Koddus, or enclosed spaces, for the deposit and decomposi- 

 tion of the oysters bought at the Government public sales, 

 are erected on the seabeach to the south of the inhabited 

 ground, and as the prevailing winds are from the north and 

 east, the stench of the decaying oysters is carried away from 



