THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
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certain per centage on the value of the pearls ; or, if the fishing 
of the banks was disposed of by public sale, they bargained for 
a stipulated sum to themselves over and above what was paid 
on account of government. The pretence on which they found- 
ed their claims for this perquisite, was their trouble in surveying 
and valuing the banks. 
As neither the season, nor the convenience of the persons 
attending, would permit the whole of the banks to be fished 
in one year, they are divided into three or four different por- 
tions, which are fished one portion annually in succession. 
The different portions are completely distinct, and are set up 
separately to sale, each in the year in which it is to be fished. 
By this means a sufficient interval is given to the oysters, to 
attain their proper growth ; and as the portion first used lias 
generally recovered its maturity by the time the last portion 
has been fished, the fishery becomes almost regularly annual, 
and may thus be considered as yielding a yearly revenue. 
The oysters are supposed to attain their completest state of 
maturity in seven years; for, if left too long, I am told that 
the pearl gets so large and so disagreeable to the fish, that it 
vomits and throws it out of the shell. 
The fishing season commences in February, and ends about 
the beginning of April. The period allowed to the merchant 
to fish the banks is six weeks, or two months at the utmost ; 
but there are several interruptions, which prevent the fishing 
days from exceeding more than about thirty. If it happens 
to be a very bad season, and many stormy days intervene 
