INTRODUCTION. XXI 



deficient. It is probable tliat it is not so much a deficiency in fish, or increased cntorprize in 

 fishing, whicli is requisite in Malabar, as a want of economy in dealing with (hose captured. 



Fish-oil is of two sorts, that of the Sharks and Kays which is considered medicinal, and that 

 of the Sardines which is made in quantities and exported very largely to Europe and elsewhere. 

 The following figures will show the exports and imports from the various places in Malabar for the 

 last few years, where the export duty was 3 per cent. " ad valorem," the imports 5 per cent, from 

 1854 to 1858, and 10 per cent, from 1859 to 186-4. The values in the following table since 1860 

 are according to the " market value," before that period according to the " Tariff value." Most 

 of the exports were to London. 



From the following official return it will be seen that although the yearly imports and exports 

 of fish-oil from Malabar have shown great variations, that for the last ten years they have rather 

 exceeded the annual value of £7391. Irrespective of the variations due to the absence of fish, the 

 state of the home markets has exercised a considerable effect upon the exports. Examining the 

 return from British Cochin, the chief exporting town in Malabar, it appears that in five years ending 

 1858-59, 61,078 cwts. were exported; in five years ending 1863-64, 82,799 cwts. were exported. 

 In former times, as for instance thirty years ago, this export was unknown, and in fact, as lately as 

 the five years ending 1845-46, it had only reached 66 cwts. It rose in the next five years to 

 3,586 cwts. It must therefore be admitted that the trade is a comparatively new one, which has 

 been and is being rapidly developed. 



In the Native State of Cochin a considerable amount of fish-oil is prepared, but it mostly finds 

 its way into British Cochin, and thus becomes incorporated into the exports from the district of 

 Malabar. The average export by sea for the last ten years has been about £31, but the land 

 exports which would be into the British territory are not included. 



