XCIV 



tliat tlio ViuMi arc the fijiliermau caste, but Siulras caiuli fibli foi* 

 tlit'ir own eatiiii>-. The tisliermen aie also cultivators. About 1:20, OUO 

 jieisons of all castes, except Biahmins, Bauiaus, g-olJsmiths, ami oilmen, 

 eat fisli, pielening; it salted; the local markets are insufliciently sup])lieil, 

 anil the amount in the waters has decreased. The usual size oi' the 

 mesh of the nets varies from half to two inches in circumference. Basket 

 snares arc used for iisliinjj. The Tehsildar vf Peddapuram answers that 

 the fishermen are also boatmen and coolies. Seven-eighths of the peo])]o 

 eat fish, preferring- it fresh; the markets are insuiiiciently supplied, and 

 the amount in the waters has decreased. The minimum size of the 

 mesh of nets employed " will be the size of a red gram" seed. Baskets 

 and snares are used for fishing-. The Tehsildar of Ellnr observes that the 

 fishermen are also palanquin-bearers. About 89,029 persons of all 

 castes, except Brahmins, Banians, oilmen, goldsmiths, and a few Bindilos 

 or Rajputs, eat fish ; the markets are not well snp])lied ; salt-fish is pre- 

 ferred to fresh, and of late years the amount of lish in the waters has 

 largely decreased. The size of the mesh of the net is about that of ;i 

 g-rain of Bengal or cow gram. Baskets and basket snares are employed 

 in taking fish ; some are caught in irrigated fields. The Tehalldur of 

 CocoHuda slates the fishermen also act as boatmen. About 50,000 per- 

 sons eat fish, preferring it fresh ; for half the year the markets are well 

 su|)plied, not so in the olhei- half; the amount in the waters lias 

 decreased during the last four years; the circumference of the mesh of 

 the nets equals one-fourth of an anna. Basket or wicker-work snares are 

 employed for fishing. The Tehsildar of I'uni replies that the fishermen 

 are also employed as coolies. The local markets are supplied ; 39,370 

 persons of all castes, except Brahmins, Banians, some of the goldsmiths, 

 and the Jungum sect, eat fish, whether fresh or salted. The size of the 

 mesh of the nets equals a pie. The Tehsildar of Filtapur answers that 

 the fishermen are also coolies ; 69,000 persons eat fish, the Sudras pre- 

 ferring it I'resh, whilst the Pariahs, &c., like it salted. The amount iii the 

 waters has decreased of late years. Baskets are used for fishing. The 

 Tehsildar of Yernagudem observes (hat the fishermen are also agricidturists 

 and collect lotus leaves (? seeds) from tanks and sell them. About 

 90,000 persons of all castes, except Brahmins and Banians, eat fish, pre- 

 ferring- the salted article. The weekly markets are supplied; the amount 

 in the waters appear to " have increased in former years." The meshes of 

 the nets are half an inch in circumference. Netting, baskets and basket 

 snares are employed. The Tehsildar of Coringa states that some of 

 the fishermen have also other trades. About 18,000 persons of all 

 castes, except Brahmins, Banians, and goldsmiths, eat fish, generally 

 preferring' it fresh ; the local markets are fully supplied, and the amount 

 in the waters has increased of late years. Of the mesh of the nets, the 

 smallest in use would ensnare an ant. Baskets are used in fishing. 



171'. In the Kislna Cvllectorate, the Tehsildar of J\^arsaron>pela 



. i-ei)lies that fishermen are also agriculturists ; 



Opinions of Native officials iu p i i a \ in i t 



tl>o Kistna Colkctorute. ^"7 /^w people eat fish and they do no care 



whether it is tresh or salt ; the local market is 

 not supplied ; the amount in the waters decreased until this year when, 

 owing to large falls of rain, they are again abundant. The Tehsildar of 

 Bapalla answers vaguely to the first few questions, continuing that 



