Home » categories » rare book library » Catelle. The Pearl.
This chapter is tagged (labeled) with: 

Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries

Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries Page of 358 Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
THE PEARL
landed by coolies who carry them in baskets, on their backs, to the "Kottu," or government stockade. There they are counted and each boat-load is divided into three equal parts; Two of these are chosen by officials for the government and the remaining heap is the boats' share. Formerly the catch was divided into four parts of which the government took three. Of the boats' share the divers get in some cases two thirds. As soon as the division is made, those belonging to the boat are quickly traded or sold to the numerous small speculators which abound in the camp. Six evenings in the week the government auctions off the catch in lots of one thousand.
While each day's catch is being counted the average run is carefully watched by experts who judge by the size, weight and general appearance of the oysters as to the probable yield of pearls. Opinions so formed are usually quite correct and bidding at the auctions are based on them to a great extent. The principal buyers are from Madras, Bombay, and other cities on the Coromandel and Malabar coasts of India, though local speculators buy many.
226
Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries Page of 358 Ch. 11: Pearl Fisheries
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page