Coral and the Coral Fisheries. 455 



The coral is here divided on arrival into several cate- 

 gories, of which the following are the principal : — 



1. Dead or rotten coral. In this class is included the 

 roots adhering to the rock and covered with stony particles 

 and vegetable encrustations. The value ranges from 5 to 

 20 francs the kilogramme. 



2. Black coral. This kind, with a polished black tint, is 

 employed for making mourning jewellery ; if of good quality 

 it fetches from 12 to 15 francs the kilogramme, or more. 



3. Coral in case. This name is given to coral which 

 has been assorted and cleaned when taken from the sea, 

 and consists of branches of all sizes. It is worth from 

 45 to 70 francs the kilogramme. 



4. Choice coral. This is the finest selected coral, in 

 large branches, which the fishermen sell separately as high 

 as 400 or 500 francs the kilogramme, according as the stems 

 are more or less straight, and of handsome appearance. 



The expenses and returns from the coral fishery in this 

 locality are thus estimated by M. Lacaze-Duthiers : * — A 

 large boat of 15 or 16 tons, manned by 12 men, involves 

 on an average an outlay of 11,000 francs for a season of 

 six months. A boat which obtains in the season 250 kilo- 

 grammes of coral, at 50 francs, covers its expenses. A 

 boat which obtains 300 kilogrammes realizes, according to 

 the quality of the coral, a profit of 2000 to 3000 francs. 

 The fishery with the diving-bell is much more advanta- 

 geous. 



The same author estimates the annual yield of the coral 

 fishery on the coasts of Algiers and Tunis at 2,500,000 

 francs, and the value of the produce when worked up at 

 12,000,000 francs ; so that the fishery, the working, and 



* " Natural History of Coral," I vol., large 8vo., coloured plates. Paris, 

 J. Bailliere and Son. 1864. 



