Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/191

 any thing they carry with them, or by long and often Use get a Trick of holding their Breath so long, at the Isle of Bahaaen near Ormus?

A. What they do at Baharen is unknown to me, but since we have had Tute Corein in Ceylon, where very good Pearls grow, I hear the Divers use no Artifice. The manner is thus, at a set time of the Year Merchants come from all Parts, as likewise Divers with their Boats; each Boat hath a certain Quantity of square Stones, upon which Stones the Divers go down, and give a Token to their Companions, when they think it time to be hal'd up; each Stone pays Tribute to the Company. The Oyster or Shell-Fish is not immediately open'd, but laid on Heaps, or in Holes at the Sea-side. When the diving Time is ended, the Merchants come and buy these Heaps, according as they can agree, not knowing whether they shall get any thing or no. So that this is a meer Lottery. This Pearl-fishing is dangerous, being the Divers commonly make their Will, and take Leave of their Friends, before they tread the Stone to go down.

Q. 25.''Whether Cinnamon when first gathered hath no Taste at all, but acquires its Taste and Strength by fifteen Days sunning? And whether the Bark be gathered every two Tears in the Isle of'' Ceylon?

A. The Cinnamon Tree as it groweth is so fragrant, that it may be smelt a great Way off before it be seen. And hath even then, a most excellent Taste; so that by sunning it loseth rather than acquires any Taste or Force; the Tree being pill'd is cut down to the Root; but the young Sprigs after a Year or two give the best and finest Cinnamon.

Q. 26.To learn, if it may be, what Art the Master-workmen of Pegu have to add to the Colour of their Rubies? Rh