I48 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XV, 



recomhlended as food after child birth, during illness or in con- 

 valescence. The liver oil is considered to be of high medicinal 

 value. Many species are found in Madras, those commonly sold 

 being Carcharias laticaudus, C. acutus, Mustelus manazo (Pal sura — 

 the flesh is supposed to stimulate milk in suckling mothers). 

 Notidanus indicus (Matta sura), Chiloscyllium indicum (Kurangan sura) 

 and Zygaena blocliii the Hammerhead (Komban sura). 



Months. 



July 



August 



September 



October 



November 



December 



January 



February 



March ... 



April ... 



May 



June 



Total 



The best month for sharks is June ; December, January and March 

 are the next most productive months. 



The Garfishes are more important in Madras among the food 

 fishes than in Tuticorin. Two genera, Belone and Hemirhamphus, 

 are included under this popular name. The following species were 

 noticed -.—Belone cancila the fresh water gar fish (kola), Belone strongy- 

 lura (Usi kola) and Hemirhamphus limbatus (Palkolachee). These 

 fish whose bones are green though eaten by the poorer classes, are 

 rejected by many because of an unpleasant odour. Belone is said 

 by fishermen to be the herald and companion of the mackerel. 

 Hemirhamphus has a habit of leaping over the nets while fishing 

 goes on. Flying-fish which are called Paravai kola were not 

 captured this year, as the Rayapuram fishermen who went on kola 

 fishing came home disappointed. Though occurring all the year 

 round, they are prolific from December to June. In August nearly 

 ten times the average catch of the prolific months was brought to 

 the markets. 



