36 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XI, 



when pastured in marshy meadows, whilst in Egypt a common and 

 dangerous human disease induced by the presence of the parasitic 

 worm Bilharzia, has recently been traced to the infection of another 

 fresh-water snail belonging to the genus Planorbis. Parallel 

 cases of disease transmitted to man through the agency of fresh- 

 water snails have not yet been traced in India, but whether this is 

 due to lack of attention to this possible source of disease or 

 whether to the excellent custom prevailing generally throughout 

 India of eating no animal food except it be cooked, it is not yet 

 possible to say. 



CEPHALOPODA. 



Octopus, Squid and Cuttlefish. 



Three species of Cephalapods have considerable economic 

 importance in the Presidency but the locality where they are 

 caught in abundance, is much circumscribed, and is limited 

 virtually to the confines of Palk Bay. The two most abundant and 

 most valuable forms belong respectively to the genera Loligo and 

 Octopus, a medium-sized species of Squid {Loligo) being caught in 

 Kreat quantities in nets and by jigging, while a small species of 

 Octopus (Polypus) is taken largely in shell traps. The third is a 

 Cuttlefish (Sepia) not caught in abundance but of some value for its 

 " bones " which are thrown ashore in considerable quantity. A 

 trade opening probably exists for the introduction of methods of 

 cure which will enhance the selling value of these highly nutritious 

 and tasty marine products. 



Besides these, at least two other kinds of Octopus are occa- 

 sionally caught and eaten. 



The Common Squid— (Loligo sp.). 



Tamil — Kuucial Kauavai {3i^ii^i>i 3iBsr<avff-iLi)^ Rameswaram Island ; 

 Eekki Kauavai (ff^Q ^sssreuiTuii)^ west coast of Palk Bay. 



The species represented under these vernacular names is the 

 only large Squid found in abundance in Palk Bay. Shoals appear 

 in shallow water off Rameswaram Island about April and during the 

 month preceding the burst of the monsoon — about 15th June — the 

 shoals reach their maximum, and then consist of immense assem- 

 blages of individuals sheltering under the lee of the land, to feed 

 upon the smaller fry that seek similar shelter, and to deposit their 

 egg capsules among the weeds common in the places favoured. 



