Coral and the Co7^al Fisheries. 453 



would have been made to improve the processes for pro- 

 curing the branches from the sea bottom. 



The diving-bell has been attempted for coral fishing, 

 but, like the pearl fisheries, it does not succeed. An Italian 

 named Foseli has, however, been lately experimenting with 

 a submarine vessel of his invention intended for coral 

 fishing. It was tried satisfactorily at Boza, in the Bay of 

 Naples, in the presence of leading men of the Italian 

 naval, scientific, and civil service. The invention consists 

 of wrought-iron plates divided into three compartments, 

 of which the lowest contains 1000 lbs. of ballast ; the 

 second or middle chamber is prepared to accommodate two 

 persons ; the third or uppermost chamber is filled with 

 compressed air. This compressed air, by means of in- 

 genious machinery, is capable of supplying means sufficient 

 to sustain the life of two persons for 50 hours. At one of 

 the late experiments, this vessel descended to a distance of 

 38 fathoms below the surface of the water, and remained 

 submerged for 22 J minutes, without the slightest discomfort 

 being experienced by the navigators. The specific gravity 

 of the ballast serves to retain the vessel in an upright 

 position, and peculiarly simple machinery enables it to 

 move in any direction. An attached illuminating arrange- 

 ment renders objects within a large area perfectly visible. 

 Other varieties of the machine, for sponge and pearl fish- 

 ing, requiring a deeper descent, are designed by the 

 inventor. 



The Spanish fishermen collect, off the Cape Verde 

 Islands, about 24,760 lbs. of coral, of the value of ;^20,ooo. 



On the south coast of Corsica, coral of various qualities 

 is found in large quantities. The coral fishery is entirely 

 in the hands of the Italians. About 60 boats are employed 

 annually ; each boat, fishing on an average for six months, 



