boats employed, and so on in this ratio. The value of the Jati Talaivan's two privilege boats in the 1890 fishery was Rs. 1,424, in that of 1900 only Rs. 172," The Jādi Talaivān is said to have been denominated by the Dutch the prince of the seven havens. It is noted in the pearl fishery report, 1900, that "the Paravas are a constant source of trouble, both on the banks and in the kottoo (shed), where they were constantly being caught concealing oysters, which of course were always confiscated. Only one Arab was caught doing this, and his companions abused him for disgracing them."
According to Mr. Casie Chitty, the Paravas are divided into thirteen classes, viz.: — :Headmen.
- Dealers in cloth.
- Divers for corals.
- Sailors.
- Divers for pearl-oysters.
- Divers for chanks.
- Packers of cloth.
- Fishers who catch tortoises (turtles).
- Fishers who catch porpoises.
- Fishers who catch sharks and other fish.
- Palanquin bearers.
- Peons, who wait about the person of the Chief.
- Fishers, who catch crabs.
It is noted by Canon A. Margōschis that the Parava females are famous for the excessive dilatation of the lobes of the ears, and for wearing therein the heaviest and most expensive gold ear jewels made of sovereigns. Ordinary jewels are said to cost Rs. 200, but heavy jewels are worth Rs. 1,000 and even more. The longer the ears, the more jewels can be used, and this appears to be the rationale of elongated ears.
