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Report No. I (1911). 



9 iW 



THE EDIBLE MOLLUSCS OF 

 MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 



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LU LIBRARY^ 



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THE' 



JAMES HORNELL FX.S., 



GOVERNMEM MARINE BlOLOGIST, MADRAS. 



Except in Malabar the utilization of shellfish properly so-called 

 has comparatively little economic importance at the present moment 

 in the Madras Presidency. If Cephalopods, which are specialized 

 and highly developed molluscs, be included, then Palk Bay may be 

 added as a second locality, as several species of Octopus, Squid and 

 Cuttlefish rise there to a position of considerable value in the econ- 

 omy of the lives of our fisherfolk. Except in these two localities 

 the molluscan resources of our seas are largely neglected and undeve- 

 loped. Apart from the poorer classes of coast dwellers, shellfish 

 as an article of food is generally despised, and except in the 

 instance of oysters in Madras City, of mussels in Malabar, and squid 

 in Ramnad district, none is ever seen exposed for sale in South 

 Indian fish markets. When one remembers the important position 

 occupied by various species of shellfish in the littoral fishing 

 industries of other countries — Britain, France, the United States, 

 and Japan are instances — this fact is much to be regretted, and it 

 behoves the Fisheries Department to do everything possible to 

 remove prejudice against the inclusion of shellfish in the general 

 dietary of our towns and to increase the quantity and quality of 

 those kinds which are both suitable from the food standpoint as 

 well as susceptible by cultivation of extended increase in the 

 amount available for distribution. It may also be found necessary 

 to supplement our indigenous supplies by the introduction of larger 

 and more prolific species and varieties from other countries ; the 

 discovery and introduction of such improved kinds should be kept 

 steadily in view in all attempts to increase and improve our 

 supplies of shellfish. 



In this connexion it is notable that some shellfish highly valued 

 in other parts of the world and occurring there in great abundance, 

 are scarce and usually of small size in India. Four of the most 



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