depth,
sometimes 700 or 800 feet beneath the surface of the sea, which depth
causes the operation of fishing for it to be a difficult and tedious
operation; it is obtained by means of nets and iron drags. Although at
present the coral fishing is carried on principally by the Italians and
Maltese, the industry is of French origin. As early as the year 1450
there existed at Calle a French establishment for the fishery of coral,
and this company had a monopoly, on the condition of only employing
Provencal sailors. In 1791 the trade was thrown open; in 1794, however,
the French ships were protected by a duty laid on those of all other
nations. At the present time, more than 150 barques from various ports
are employed every season in this fishery. The amount of business
carried on in this substance is surprising. Immense quantities are
yearly exported to China, India, and Persia, where coral is ranked as
one of the most precious productions of nature. In some parts of India
worm-eaten coral is in great demand, and thousands of pounds worth of
this commodity, which in European estimation would be worthless, is
yearly sent there. One house in Naples alone exports £ 8ooo worth to
Calcutta, and the total value yearly imported by India is said to amount to £ 200,000.
Coral is principally cut into beads, and loutons or pieces cut en calochon ; drops
for earrings; also in leaves, flowers, and various other shapes, for
making the carved ornaments seen in Naples and Genoa; into charms, worn
in bunches, which are supposed to avert the influence
