4.64 INDIAN CYPRINIDZ. 
cies, science, while it exhibits varieties as numerous almost as the stars, teaches 
us at the same time how to strip the subject of vagueness arising from this 
cause, and amidst the countless species which inhabit our seas, directs our at- 
tention and our energies to a few only, and of these the Sulea, or Polynemus 
sele, Buch. is the one which from its bulk, its habits, and its qualities in every 
way seems capable of becoming a permanent benefit to society. It ap- 
pears to be the Cod-fish of the tropics, and equals its representative in the 
northern seas in all those qualities which render that species so invaluable ; 
but from its bulk it is unmanageable by the Indian fishermen, who are also 
without the means of preserving it.* These however are not sufficient rea- 
sons why an article that might add an exhaustless supply to the common 
stock of food should be altogether lost, now that an European spirit, under 
the influence of a paternal government, begins to infuse itself in all 
things connected with the resources of India. 
* It must have been long known that the difficulty of preserving meat depends more on the 
state of the atmosphere in regard to electricity and moisture than on temperature. In Calcutta, 
in the month of December, when the mean temperature is about 60°, it is not uncommon to 
keep meat before it is dressed for eight days, though in England during the summer at the time 
of the herring fishing too, it cannot be kept in the best meat-safes for more than half that time, 
though the temperature be lower than here. With salt and other means at hand, I conceive 
there would be no difficulty in curing fish in an Indian climate in the months of November 
and December, when the Swlea fishing would be carried on; nevertheless the subject is one of 
much interest, and I cannot therefore omit the following remark with which I have been favoured 
on this head by Mr. C. K. Robison, one of the Magistrates of Calcutta. “‘ It would be a famous 
thing if these enormous fish (the Szlea) could be cured, as well as their isinglass obtained ; 
and I cannot help thinking the measure very feasible, if the fishermen at the time of taking them 
and cutting them up, dipped them first into weak chloride of soda mixed with a small quantity 
of impure pyroligneous acid. This would not only preserve the fish till the salt acted, but im- 
prove the flavour.” These materials could be manufactured at a very cheap rate on the spot, as well 
as every thing else that would be requisite. For an account of the Sudea fish, see Journal Asiatic 
Society Bengal, March 1889, p. 203. Also an article on “ some Indian Fishes by Dr. Cantor,” Pro- 
ceedings Royal Asiatic Society, April 1838. 
