The Spectator., 1915-06-25

oAoruy after nightfall of a pleasant evening our little steamer sailed out of the harbor of Co lombo, bound for the 'peary shores" for an anchorage few miles off the port of Arippu, near which place the pearlfshing fleet was to be. gin operations at the rising of the sun In Cey- Ion the oyster beds are under government super vision and about March of each year great pearl-fshng expedition hovers over the waters or the Gulf of Mannar. The personnel of the fleet is made up of Malays. Arabs, Indians Snga- lese, and those from various other branches of lndias teeming millions
 The experience of the stranger with the unique fleet is not disappointing The sight of thou. sands of divers from hundreds of little boats plunging into the water riding downward astride heavy weights. rising with their treas ures, others returning to the watery depths the Dabel of strange voices combine to paint A pic- turesque and lasting impression upon the mind of the visitor.
 The waters around Ceylon and those of the Gulf of California have the richest pearl-produc- ing oyster beds in existence. Situated on oppo- site sides of the earth, it is interesting to com pare the work of the pearl hunters or divers so Tar separated, yet pursuing many methods in common ln the search for precious gems beneath the waters. In Ceylon upon given signal the diving begins; the boats small and hold com fortaby eight twelve persons The men wear few clothes, and each man takes a turn at diving for all of them appear to be experts rope with weight attached is thrown over the side of the boat the diver attaches himself to the rope and his assistant lowers him into the water. Other divers plunge downward unassist ed Around the diver hangs bag within which he places the oysters as rapidly he can pick them from the sea bottom.
 On the Mexican coast, of which La Paz is the general rendezvous, the method of pearng Is much the same as in Ceylon. Many of the yes sells used are larger and the modern diving suit is more in evidence There is usually large cni a1la ad fba synnf haJf dozen smaller ones termed "luggers." The lat ter manned by of six or eight men, one or two of whom are divers The small boats transfer their catches at frequent intervals to the larger vessel standing by. where the shells opened and carefully examined for pearls
 What is pearl? Before considering other pearlfshing grounds, especially those of the Americas, it may be of interest to know just how the pearl is produced; that is so far the scien tifc reader is concerned. One of the shortest and most striking definitions is that suggested by French scientist, who says "a pearl is the brilliant sarcophagus of worm." Others go more into detail and declare that the growth of the pearl is often associated with possible de- gree of annoyance or pain The tiny deposit that finds itself within the shell of mollusk oyster may be introduced accidentally purposey, we shall later. The foreign substance within the shell is believed to rritate the oyster and he begins to cover it with series of thin layers of calcium carbonate Little by little these pe culiar layers are formed, and in few years a beautiful pearl may be the result. the forma ton may prove absolutely worthless.
 Forthcoming mollusks are widely distributed over the world and they may be univalves or bivaves; in the former shape sometimes find them in conchs and in the latter classification in clans and oysters. The subject in various rami- fications has proved interesting and fascinating to investigators; but this story is only general talk about the pearl and the scientific details left to those who make serious study of the nature of this famous and much-prized ornament. Saltwater pearl fishing in the Americas has been pursued from our earliest history, and while these pearling waters may not be as ancient as