No. 2 (1922) LACCADIVE FISHERIES 69 



the suggestion was made by Mr. Hornell in 1908 as to the opening 

 of a fresh turtle trade, in his report in Bulletin No. 4. Till that is 

 accomplished, it is for consideration whether the large quantities 

 of crude oil now prepared from the fat and liver of turtles, sharks 

 and rays, may not be used for some industrial purposes. No doubt 

 the quality now prepared and in use is not to be recommended as 

 it is very bad smelling and dirty looking in appearance. But if a 

 satisfactory price is offered for a better quality we may be able to 

 encourage the extraction of the oils and thus stimulate production 

 on improved lines. At present the use to which the islanders put 

 these, is to smear over their big Kundara boats and also over some 

 of the smaller sized ones, as a preventive against desiccation and 

 also against worm attacks. I brought with me a small quantity of 

 these oils as samples, and this has been sent to an analyst that we 

 may obtain information as to their probable industrial value and 

 uses. 



