NO. 6 (1921) COMMON MOLLUSCS OF SOUTH INDIA 205 



This method is largely employed along the northern coast of 

 Rameswaram Island, especially at the village of Aryakundu, near 

 Tangachimadam. during the squid season. To carry it on the 

 fisherman erects a small outlook in shallow water — a form of 

 machan (fig. 57). The main portion of the structure consists of a 

 stout bifurcated tree branch of Y shape, the main stem embedded 

 firmly in the sea-bottom; across the ends of the two arms, which 

 project upwards several feet above the surface of the water, a 

 strong pole is fixed horizontally to serve as a rest for the 

 fishermen. The height of this seat above the sea-bottom is 

 generally about 6 feet ; 8 feet at the utmost. A pile of leaves 

 is tied or anchored at the foot of the staging to attract the Squid ; 

 the fisherman when ready, takes his stand on his outlook armed 

 with a slender pole 12 to 15 feet long, furnished at one end with 

 five or six stout hooks set grapnel-fashion, thus : — 





Fig. 58. Squid jigger used at Kameswamm. 



Watching the bottom intently, the fisherman waits till he sees 

 a Squid approach to investigate the heap of leaves. As soon it 

 comes within range he cautiously moves his jigger into a favourable 

 position and with a deft jerk imbeds the jigger hooks in its flesh 

 and lifts it from the water. The reason why the Squid seek 

 shelter amid the leaves set as a lure, seems, on the part of the 

 female, to be for the purpose of laying her eggs therein, as she 

 requires such objects whereto to attach the great gelatinous candle- 

 like capsules in which the ova develop (fig. 59). The male is 

 said to follow the female at this time, so that sometimes both fall 

 a prey to the fisherman's jigger. What is not used or sold imme- 

 diately is split open, washed and sun-dried ; it makes a very clean 

 and attractive looking product. 



This method of fishing is generally carried on in the morning, 

 the fisherman occupying his outlook for four or five hours at a 

 stretch. The branched post employed is cut generally from a 

 babul, the one tree that manages to thrive well on this sun-scorched 

 sandy coast. At Ariyakundu there are nearly one hundred of 

 these squid machans. 



