CEYLONESE PEARLS.

Evening Star, Issue 12899, 23 August 1906, Page 8

CEYLONESE PEARLS.

How much more treasured is the already precious pearl when you know something of its story—the story of a growing thing, born in the blue depths of tropical seas', coveted by man, jealously guarded, energetically sought, and sold and sold again before it fulfils its present destiny of gleaming against a background of smooth, fair skin! Over seven thousand miles away, where the great pearl banks of Ceylon stretch along the western coast, for "ever hidden by the humid waters of the Indian Ocean, this gem is found. On cither side, far into the hazy distance, lies a shimmering line of sand, which, barren and deserted, quivers eternally under the scorching tropical sun. In front the sapphire sea stretches on and on to where the blue dome above seems to mingle with it and melt avray into space. Iu long, heaving lines the great green waves roll in, crumbling into creamy surf as they pass the reef, and with a hollow thud spring into glistening spray upon the dazzbng beach. Behind, like a miniature mountain range, aro miles of heaped-up shells—tho accumulation of tens of centuries. The shells that yielded pearls to adorn the brows of dark-skinned beauties who walked tho earth before Christ lie hidden under these mounds. The air is heavy with the odor of decay. For three-parts of the year this desolate coast simmers' patiently on, with no inhabitants ether than tnrtles and crabs innumerable. But February comes round, and a fishing is proclaimed.

As if by magic, the place springs into life; huts are run up, sheds built and stocked with foods and other necessaries —and unnecessaries—whilo traders and fishermen, jugglers and beggars, buyers and usurers pour in from all parts. Next the fishing fleet arrive, and canoes and catamarans swarm everywhere. The fleet numbers about 100 boats, each carrying a crew of twelve men and two or three divers.. The divers are mostly Tamils and Moormen, who, despite the marvellous endurance and pluck which they display in the execution of their calling," are terrified of sharks. To protect themselves against this ever-present danger they carry charms given them by recognised shark-binders, "who receive a small Government fee and a dozen oysters a day from each boat. The sea is infested by sharks, but, owing to the constant noise and splashing, accidents are rare.

The banks lie some eight miles out, and, everything being ready, the boats start out at midnight. Fishing commences at dawn and continues till noon, when, at a signal, operations are stopped, and the fleet retarns to unload. A sale is immediately held, the oysters being s)ld by the thousand, though small speculators endowed with a sporting spirit can puj chase three for 2d and take their chance. Consolation can always be sought by eating the oysters should they turn up blank. After each daily sale the smaller bavers open their shells at once, the big dealers saving labor by burying them in pits, where the fish scon rots away. The shells are then dropped into troughs, washed, and carefully examined, tho barren ones' being thrown,out in heaps, and those with pearls' put into a separate trough. After repeated washings the dirt and sand disappear, and the ?loose gems can be picked out. The water is then strained off, and the small seed pearls collected, after which the who'c lot is sorted, weighed, and valued in the presence of Government officers; -■'.'- The pearls growing on the oyster itself are roaad, bricnt. smooth, and. flawless.

and command the highest price of all.' Those found attached to the shell are not so valuable, for, however shapely and lustrous, there is always one imperfect side which must be concealed in a ring'or other setting". The actual diving is performed in much the sa-ne manuer now as, itvwas a :■ thousand years ago. The Ccylonese diventtßes/ no artificial aids, scorning even to his ears with cotton-wool and oil. He stands ' on a heavy sinking- stone attached to. a, rope, which he holds with one hand, gr'ips*' a basket, fastened to a separate line,- be'-"'" tween. his knees, and, simply taking a' deep breath and holding, his no"se with the spare hand, slips under, feet first and goes to tho bottom. _ : '. . The w.vter is usually., from 40ft to 50ft' deep, and in the dim green light, with a brain-breaking pressure on his head, the'. "™ n tea-rs the clinging, oysters from their' bed and pushes them into his net basket till breath fails him, and ho jerks the rope. He is pulled up at top speed, usually clinging to the bottom of the basket and letting go a yard or so under the surface, when he shoots up out. of the water clear of boat and gear. As soon as the net is emptied down he goes again, and after some twenty dives has a rest, while another man takes | his place. Some divers can stay under for over two minutes, but the pressure causes ■! them to bleed at tho ears and nose, and nono of them live long—such-is part of the price of a pearl. A diver bringing up i 3,000 oysters between sunrise and noon ! earns about 15s a day, the fishing usually lasting three weeks, by which time his eyes are so bloodshoot that no white can. be seen. In another month all traces of the busy, fishing vanish, except for a mile or so of tainted air. But millions of scavenger crabs now crawl up from the sea and fall upon the masses of putrefaction, and soon a desolate peace is restored. The crabs return to the dim depths which man invades at his life's peril for the costly gems that they pass by without heeding, and the murmuring sea lisps secrets of its treasures to ears that cannot understand.— Walter J. Fallon. ' Evening Standard.'