New Orleans Republican., 1868-06-14

tells these insects, working in oppo-
site directions, as generations after
generations are moving farther from
each other, that the circle they are
building shall be large one or a small
one These things to an observing
sailor, unacquainted with the theories
of the learned, are always a mystery.
Among the South Sea Islands there
is little trade for coral; yet not much
is done in the way Of fishing for it in
the manner have seen followed in
other places. Most of the coral gath
cred there, Of quality valuable in
the market, is obtained in small guam
titles from the shores of islands sur
rounded BY coral reef. Fragments
of the reef become detached from the
main body, and In violent agitation of
the sea by storms, pieces of the right
kind are thrown within the grasp Of
man. ---.---..
The only opportunity | have met for
seeing the coral fishery conducted in
what may be called an intelligent man
ner, was off the coast of Africa, where
for few days was near some natives
Of Algiers, who were fishing for coral
line plants iu the same manner pursued
in the Strait of Messina. The coral
fishery l witnessed was carried On
from three feluccas anchored in about
seventy fathoms Of water. A felucea
is the largest and fastest boat used. 1t
has three masts with totecn sails, and
iib on a short bowsprit. 1t is also
furnished with long strong oars. Dur
ing the time | remained near those en-
gagged in the fishery, all three were
visited. aud | became familiar with
the mode of gathering coral; but,
being unable TO converse with the
men, l could learn nothing about the
trade.
Two strong poles, about twenty feet
long, are firmly fastened together at
the middle, and at right angles to
each other. On the under side of
the poles is q net made of strong cord
and fastened to the extremities of the
poles. A heavy stone. for the pur-
pose of sinking the poles, is fastened
where they cross each other, and a
strong line is also tied at thc cross
ing. One end Of the liue is held
aboard the feiuoca, and the net is
launched over where the coral branches
are supposed to be growing beneath.
The net sinks slowly to the bottom,
and should it fall over the spot where
coral is growing, some Of the branches
generally become entangled in irs
meshes, and are broken off and hauled
up.
When the net and poles become
firmly entangled below with the
branches of coral, much force has to
be used in freeing them, and often the
end of the line has to be fastened to
the windlass, and few turns given to
bring the net from the bottom. Only
small portions Of any large mass
brought up on such occasions are OF
any value. Sometimes the net be-
comes so firmly fastened below that it
is torn in pieces in extricating it, 1t
not unfrequeutly happens that the
line by which the net is drawn up
breaks, although to avoid this it is al
ways made of larger and stronger ma
terial than the net. Often the net is
pulled to the surface and not the
smallest fragment of coral is found at
tached to it On one occasion ] saw,
as the net was brought near the sur
face, a large branch of bright red coral,
which was hailed by the Algerine fish
ermen with shouts of delight. The
instant the poles struck the felueca the
branch, which was culy hanging by
what is best described as twig, broke
away and was lost. There was a sud
den transformation Of Algerine feat
ures from expressions of JOY to these
of anger and disappointment
Notwithstanding these little misfor-
tunes the coral fishers are engaged in
a profitable business, and make dur
ing the season, which lasts from the
middle of April to July, enough to
keep them with @ little economy the
remainder Of the year. Should they
be successful at every cast of the net
the coral, such as they procure, would
become too common to please those
affected with an insane desire for any
thing that requires time and toll in
procuring.
The price Of rough coral varies ao-
cording to its quality and color. The
whinls Of changing tasts, or want Of
taste, aud the quantity in tho market.
have much to do with its value. /
have seen it sold for about two shil-