The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-10-22

DIVING FOR PEARLS.
The Dasesrs Of the business and Use-
full Invention 20 Mako IL more Safe.
You know pearls are found in she'll
fish. at the very bottom Of the sea, and
the little fish sticks to the rocks. We
do not know certainly what those pearls
are. nor from what they are formed
There are several opinions on the sub
ject. and you must read all about il in
your natural history. l want to tell
you something about the dangers OF
looking for these precious pearls, and
then YOU will never sec one that you
will not think about the risk Of human
life which has led TO its being found.
II is between the island Of Ceylon and
Cape CONFORM that pearl oysters are
mostly found. The strait in whit ) the
beo Of oysters il situated is very dam
gerous from rocks and whirlpools The
men who learn this business begin in
early youth. for il requires great prac-
tice and much courage. They have to
exercise . great deal in diving. and see
how long they car remain under
water. The season commences in
April, and weeks before. the d.
vers begin to diet and rub them
selves with oil At sunrise they
90 IN boats to the bank Of pear. oys-
ters. about tive leagues from the CONT
nent Then the diver takes OF his
clothing. and under one arm fastens q
sponge which he uses for breathing,
and ties = plant before his mouth,
which will not absorb the water. lie
puts . cord around his waist. the end
Of which is fastened to the boat. and
puts q thirty-pound weight TO his feet,
il order to sink the faster. He takes
knife and q net, and plunges into the
sea He picks up the oysters az fast
as possible. IL he wants breath he
pulls the cord. and his companions
draw HIM up The oysters are laid
upon the sand. exposed to sun and air
until the shells open. There are gem
orally found in them . dozen pearls,
which are cleaned and prepared fol
sale They brings . large sum- and
the oyster shells are sold for mother
of-pearL Before the divers 20 into the
water they take oil into their mouths,
which they discharge on reaching the
bottom and II makes the water clear
- MANY accidents occur TO these pops
men. Some are seized by the inhabit.
ants Of the deep. and. sometimes re-
maininc too ,onc IN the water. thew arr
sfrap0led- some divers have killed 9th.
ers a the bottom ~ the sea. becans@
one would piek nm the oyster which the
Other wanted. The best diver can 70
main undcr the water only about eight
m;pntes oenerallv- hut some Indian.
have remained fifteen minutes. Tbi.
emnlovmen, i "a hard that divers us.l
alIy AZ vounr. They seldom can fol
low 4 NOR Tran ten wears. and soms
much les time.
During the last century. an invention
- made for the helm ~ divers: for ths
near tisherics. Il rcsembled a bell
and the diver places himself IN il. Thi
helI = filled with Air. and therefor,
prevents alter from filling the insii,
81 the machine a Il falls into the sea
Won viii understand this. II YOU VII
ulupOe the mouth OF n little glass int
Z tnb 81 water. when YOU will ZEE tia
- water comes up only to . certain
hei0ht in the glass. The. bell Il Gov
ered with lead 10 make il sink: It I'll,
bottom u 4 floor. and 4 seat. so IL
diver can work. sitting or standing
and. m GOOD weather. Re can. read o
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