No. 6 (1922) 



FISH SUPPLY OF MADRAS 



157 



the other Gobies. These when netted in shoals by themselves are 

 usually thrown away by the fishermen. 



Though sold all through the year, the best months for gobies 

 are July and August. 



The Queen fish {Chorinemus tala) is found in the markets all the 

 year round, its season lasting from May till July. It is called 

 Tholparai in Tamil as the fish is sworn to as the common prime 

 fish, the horsemackerel, by untrustworthy butlers, etc., who peel off 

 the skin which comes off easily. 



Rays (Thirukkai) were sold for eleven months in the year, Octo- 

 ber being the exception. The season is from December to February. 

 The species noticed were the sting-rays Trygon uarnak (Sonaga 

 thirukkai) and Trygon walga (Sembadaka thirukkai) and the Eagle 

 ray Aetobatis narinari (Kurivi thirukkai). The tail which is like a 

 whiplash carries powerful spines with which frightful wounds can 

 be inflicted and which the fishermen chop off with vindictive 

 animosity, at times even with the tail. The rays are all highly 

 esteemed by the masses. 



