'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎455] (486/582)

THE PEARL FISHERY OF BAHREIN.
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of Maude's Islands, near Haloola, (which may derive its name
from loolo, the Arabic name for a pearl,) and Geziret Beni Aass.
The islands of Bahrein furnish annually about a thousand boats;
the tribes of Beni Aass at Bethoobah, or Boothabean, about five
hundred; and the other small ports along that coast an equal
number; besides those which sometimes come over from the
Persian shore. It is said by some that any boats may fish for
oysters on these banks without paying for such a privilege; but
others contend that every boat found there must pay a fixed
tribute to the Sheik of Bahrein. Both parties admit, however,
that when any danger of capture from pirates is apprehended,
the Sheik furnishes several armed vessels to protect the whole;
and. for this he claims a tribute of from six to ten pearls from
each boat, according to her size and importance.
The fishery is carried on during the summer months only,
when the bank is covered by boats throughout its whole extent.
The divers are Arabs and negro slaves, who are mostly trained
to the practice from their youth. They commence their labours
at sun-rise, and continue generally until sun-set. They go down
in all depths, from five to fifteen fathoms; remaining from two
to five minutes, and bringing up with them from eight to twelve
oysters in both hands. On reaching the surface, they barely
take time to recover breath, and then dive again immediately,
as it is found that any length of repose between, rather weakens
than recruits the diver. All the gains of the fishery are divided
in the most equitable way, by shares in proportion to the capital
embarked in the boats ; and those who have not at all contributed
to their equipment are yet paid in proportionate shares also ; so
that all parties are interested in the gains of the concern, and
all prosecute their labours willingly. The food of the divers,
during the season, is chiefly fish, dates, and a small portion of
bread, rice, and oil. During the fair season, they barely earn
enough to keep them through the winter, which they pass, like
the sailors of all other countries when on shore, in as great a