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another, can be traced. At Combaconum in Madras, " tradi- 

 tion asserts that this race of men were originally brought by 

 some Hindu llajah as bearers from Coujeveram." At Broacli 

 in Boml)ay (p. Ivi), two .sub-divisions of the lishiug caste iiavc 

 " obtained their names from the villages Avhencc they emi- 

 grated." Again, the moturfa tax in Madras affected all 

 fishermen, being a species of capitation tax, or one on theii 

 trade or the implements with which it was being carried out, 

 and the abrogation of this must have eventuated in many 

 more persons folloAving the occupation, especially as renl.s 

 were also remitted in Madras. In the present day, " there is 

 scarcely anywhere a numerous and distinct class dependant 

 this pursuit for subsistence " (p. Ixx). That such is the case, an 

 example is furnished in the Panjab, where taxes on lishing nets 

 have been imposed, Avith the result that " the new regulations 

 are admitted on all hands to have had a good effect in i)reserv- 

 ing the fish, whilst the fishermen have decreased." In Mysor, 

 in the time of Ilyder Ali, very stringent fishing laws existed, 

 whereas now, we are informed, in the Nundidrug Division 

 (p. cv), about two-thirds of the population fish occasionally., 

 in addition to their other occupations. Nearly every ryot 

 keeps a net, to be used as occasion or opportunity arises. In 

 British Burma, fishermen must have increased since th( 

 period when every one has been authorised to catch fish, with- 

 out payment, for home consumption, but not for sale, whereas 

 formerly the contractor received payment for such. In 

 short, in tlie time when districts were let, the contractor.s 

 would not have been so short-sighted as to permit the general 

 destruction now so freely carried on. At present every oni 

 encroaches on the fishermen's calling, who, seeing others 

 slaughtering breeding-fish and fry, do the same : as 

 remarked to me in Burma, — why should we save them if otherf 

 kill them ? — or in the Panjdb, where they complained thai 

 their nets with Ij-inch meshes could not take fry, Avhereas sucb 

 were permitted to be sold in the bazar by people not fisher 

 men. The result has been in most parts of India that tin 

 fisheries have become almost ruined, and amongst the argu 

 nients against action advanced in Madras exists this — that the 

 fresh-water fishermen are amongst the most impoverislied 

 class of the commuui* y — a result to be anticipated, and ii 

 consequence of indiscriminate fishing. In fact, in some place; 

 they have had to give no their calling: in the Central Pro 

 vinces (p. cxxiv), mauj have ceased to follow their original 

 occupation owing to the demand foi- well-paid laboia- develoj)e( 

 by the railway. In Madras (p. Ixxxii), " fewer men are sai( 



