( 76 ) 



of the coffee pulpers is stated to be poisonous to the fishes 

 of the rivers into which they are drained, but if no stand- 

 ing weirs exist below them, the injury thus occasioned 

 cannot be compared to that done by fixed engines permitted 

 to span streams. Coir is extensively manufactured in Mala- 

 bar by decomposing the outer shell of cocoanuts in large pits 

 dug by the sides of streams and backwaters. Here, covered 

 over by mud, they are left to rot, and when these offensive 

 pits are opened into the stream, the fluid decomposed vege- 

 table substance which is washed out is a cause of destruction 

 to fish-life. It is remarkable that putrid water does not 

 invariably destroy fish residing in it : near Berhampur, I 

 was shown a small tank in which the water was perfectly 

 putrid, and the natives asserted that it had been so for months, 

 but still fish resided there. The smell was most offensive, and 

 its bed was deep in dark slimy mud. After much persuasion 

 the fishermen were induced to net it, and the fish were as 

 numerous as in other pieces of water in the vicinity ; their 

 colour was somewhat darker, but they were reported to be 

 fit for food. However, the fishermen at last confessed that 

 they did not intend personally to eat them, but proposed dis- 

 posing of them in the bazar. 



LXXVII. "Water or fish may be poisoned for the purpose 

 Waters poisoned for fishing of obtaining the finny tribes. This 

 purposes. i s mostly done in one of the following 



ways : — The use of poisonous substances, or by rendering the 

 water unfit to sustain their lives, or preventing the fish 

 access to air necessary for respiration. (1.) As regards poi- 

 sonous substances employed, these are numerous, and most 

 are detailed in the Appendix — milk bush, tobacco leaves, 

 Cocculus Indicus, many poisonous jungle fruits, &c. This is 

 usually carried on during the dry months of the year, when 

 the pools in rivers are still, and hardly any current exists. 

 It is very easy to collect the poisons, to throw them into a 

 deep still pool, and quietly await the fish floating up intoxi- 

 cated to the surface. It is immaterial that thousands of 

 immature fish and insects, &c, which form the food of adults, 

 are thus slaughtered. The poacher is in no need of them ; he 

 obtains as much as he can bear away, totally unconcerned 

 that his gains may be unwholesome, and tbe river water 

 rendered poisonous to human beings, birds and cattle that 

 imbibe it. He sells the proceeds of his nefarious work, and 

 that without molestation, and, if spoken to, calmly terms such 

 "a free industry" which is permitted by authority. InOudh 



