Ceylon.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



205 



their sizes, by being passed through ten brass sieves, or saucers full of round 

 holes. The saucers are all apparently of one size, but made so as to go one 

 within the other. They are distinguished into numbers, 20, 30, 50, 80, 100, 

 200, 400, GOO, 900, and 1000. This is a kind of ratio to estimate the value 

 of the different sizes of pearls ; and probably the distinguishing numbers in 

 some measure correspond with the quantity of holes in each bason. These 

 completely occupy the bottom of the vessel ; and as they increase in number, 

 they necessarily decrease in size. The pearls are thrown in a promiscuous 

 heap into the uppermost sieve, which being raised a Little, and shaken, the 

 greater part of them pass through into the second sieve, and only those 

 remain which exceed a Jarge pea in size. The second sieve is shaken in the 

 same manner ; the pearls that remain in it are of the size of a small pea, or 

 grain of black pepjicr. The quantity of pearls gradually increases as the 

 size diminishes. Those which fall through the tenth saucer (No. 1000) 

 belong to the class of tfx>l f or seed pearls, so called from the smallness of 

 their size. 



The pearls contained in the sieves 20 to 80 inclusive, are distinguished 

 by the general name of meff 9 or the first order. Those of the sieves from 

 No. 100 to 1000 are denominated radiroo, or the second order. Both these 

 orders are divided into various sorts, according to their shape, lustre, and 

 other qualities, amongst which are annees^ afinadaree, kayarel, samadiem, 

 kallipoo, koorwety pesid, and tool. 



Annees are the first sort* perfectly round, and of the most brilliant 

 lustre. 



Annadaree is a subdivision of them, possessing the same qualities in an 

 inferior degree. 



Kayarel is the next in beauty, but not so completely round, and of a 

 duller colour. To this class belong the samadiem, which is nearly of the form 

 of a pear, and the kallipoo, which has flat sides. 



The koorwel, or tlurd class, is a double pearl, ill-shaped, and of a dull 

 water ; to it may be added the pesul, the most deformed of all the pearls, 

 and the tool, or seed pearl, the most diminutive. 



The different descriptions of pearls are sent to different markets ; but 

 at the fishery all the kinds are generally sold mixed together, at 200 pagodas 

 per pound. 



The method of determining the price of the different sorts of pearls is 

 regulated by an imaginary criterion, estimating the proportion of that quality 

 which attaches to them the highest value. It has the appearance of being 

 intricate and difficult, but is considered simple by those wiio understand it. 

 Size, roundness, and brightness seem to be the qualities on winch it depend-. 



