160 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XV, 



The Spade-fish (Thirattai— Drepane punctata) is good eating like 

 pomfret. It is sold in August and November, lesser quantities being 

 available in September, December, January and February. When 

 steam trawling is done, large quantities of this bottom-haunter are 

 expected to be caught. 



Oramin (Teuthis Java and 71' cone atenatd) is sold in August and 

 September. Smaller quantities are sold in October and January. 



The Bat-fish (Sadakkan — Platax vespertilio) was sold in Sep- 

 tember. 



The sandbugs (Hippa asiatica) are crustaceans known as Illipuchi 

 found buried in the sand within the surf zone. Besides their use 

 as bait, they are valued by the poor classes who pound them into 

 a curry. 125 lb. were sold in December and 20 in February. 



Eels (Vilangu) are abominated by Hindus who regard them as 

 serpents (cf. the Scots belief that eels are descendants of Eve's 

 temptress) and are rejected by Muhammadans because of their 

 scaleless nature. The ones caught are usually those that have 

 got into the net accidentally. They are, however, such good eating 

 that the odour of cooking eels is said to make a dead man sniff. 

 The fish fetch a high price ( 5 as. 6 ps. per lb.) and are recommended 

 by Indian doctors as diet for invalids. The liver is said to be an 

 antidote to poisons. Muraena macrura and AnguilJa, bengalcnsis 

 were the two species seen in the markets where they were sold in 

 July, August and December. 



Fadangan {Rhinobatus thouini), the plough fish, was brought to 

 the markets in November. 



The Crocodile-fish (Udupathy — Platycephalus insidiator) though 

 often rejected by fishermen is eaten by the poorer classes who 

 sometimes buy them as in July of this year. 



Kozhimin (Acanthurus matoides), the surgeon, was sold in the 

 mirkets in January and April. It is the most highly priced 

 (7 annas 6 pies per lb.) fish in Madras. 



Allathy {Elops saurus), the Gally-wasp, was sold in January. 



Pulli pilachai (Tctrodon patoca), the puffer, is an inedible fish 0/ 

 no economic value. It is rejected by fishermen as eating its 

 indigestible flesh is said to bring on vomiting and purging with 

 sometimes fatal effects. The flesh, however, is said to be tasty and 

 is recommended by Indian doctors as food for consumptives. The 

 pleasant taste and the disastrous effects of eating it are set forth 

 in a Japanese proverb which says " Great is the temptation to eat 



