106 



Pearl Oyster Fishery, [no. 5, new series, 



But from the appearance of shells of all sizes, and the history of 

 the Tamblegam Pearl fisheries since 1839, I should say, that in 

 three years, this bivalve Mollusc attains its adult age ; and, that 

 after that, it dies. It appears to thrive best in brackish water, but 

 a large influx of fresh water (from rivers) kills them. Instances 

 have been known, when a large number of young and old Oysters 

 died in Tamblegam lake, during some very rainy seasons when the 

 rivers which empty into the lake brought down an unusual quanti- 

 ty of fresh water. If ever the channel, which was once proposed 

 to be cut through the neck of land which connects the lake with 

 the Trincomalie harbour, is made, this cause of mortality will more 

 rarely occur, perhaps never again exist. 



From the flattened formation of the shells, Pearls are very lia- 

 ble to drop out when the animal reaches its full growth ; I would 

 therefore fix, as the best period for fishing, the time when the ani- 

 mal has closed its supposed two year's age, or when the shell mea- 

 sures from 5§ to 6 inches in transverse diameter. 



I have inspected the Tamblegam bank this week, and am sorry 

 to report, that there is no prospeet of even an average good fishery 

 before the middle of 1859. The banks have been overfished. The 

 Natcha Cooda bank is completely destroyed. The renter in 1856, 

 left scarcely any Oysters behind, and this portion of the bank will 

 consequently be unproductive for many years, possibly yield none 

 again, unles Government should re-stock it. 



Nothing could have been more prejudicial to the interests of the 

 Government, than to have leased out the bank by the year. The 

 Government Agents who could have acted so unwisely as to lease 

 out to Native renters a small bank of Pearl Oysters for three con- 

 secutive years, without any stipulation as to the size of the Oys- 

 ters to be fished, must have lost sight of the natural laws of re- 

 production and multiplication of species, known even to the Na- 

 tive divers. It is therefore very gratifying to observe, that the 

 present Government Agent, Mr. Morris, takes great interest in my 

 researches ; that he is alive to the importance of the Naturalist's 

 opinion, and has recommended that all young Oysters be thrown 

 back into the lake ; a measure which I had the opportunity of sug- 



