CCXXXIU 



atiJ at all seasons. The ininlinum mcsli of uets is stated to be the size of 

 a grain of gram, interference witli which would be unpopular. Tin (lie 

 five districts this one answer is given in the lump, whilst the Commis- 

 sioner ohscrves " nor is it necessary :" whether this i.s the opinion of 

 each of the reporters is left to conjecture.] Wore the sale of the fry of 

 fish prohiI)iLcd, a very large amount of food would be taken from the people. 

 The castes of fishermen arc Jalooa, Koebarta, Teor, and Mallow. 'I'he local 

 markets are generally fully supplied, and fish is eaten, by fifteen -sixteenths 

 of the population : the amount in the waters has decreased hy 

 one-fourth from some unknown causes; very youug ones are trap])ed 

 during the rains in irrigated fields ; snares are likewise employed. In 

 Fitrreedpore, breeding-fish and young ones arc said not to be destroyed to 

 nny great extent, but some arc taken i)}' the hand and various fish traps. 

 The minimum size of the mesh of the nets equals a grain of gram 

 intcrferi'tico wilh wliicli would be extremely unpopular (sec remarks above) 

 whilst prohibiting the sale of fry would interfere with the food-supply of 

 the people. In Bnchergunge, breeding-fish and very 3'oung ones are not 

 destroyed to any great extent; the minimum size of the mesh of the nets 

 equals a grain of gram, interference with which would be extremely 

 unpopular (see remarks aljove), whilst prohibiting the sale of fry is not 

 necessary. In Mi/mcnsinff, breeding-fish and very young ones are destroj'ed 

 to a very great extent, which destruction continually goes on in all parts 

 of the district. Tiie minimum size of the mesh of tlic nets equals ao-iain 

 of gram ; interference with such would be extremely unpopular (see re- 

 marks above). Prohibiting the sale of the fry of fish in the bazars 

 " would be a vexatious and altogether unnecessary interference. It would 

 lead to great abuses .and oppression, and the prohibition would be directed 

 against an evil which is altogether imaginary, as there is not the least 

 leasoa to suppose that the sale of the fry of fish has exercised or 

 can exercise, any Injurious elfect upon the fish-supply." In Sulhet 

 breeding-fish and jouug ones are destroyed to a great extent, and in 

 all parts of the district continually. The minimum size of the mesh 

 of the nets equals a grain of gram ; interference with such would 

 be extremely unpopular (see remarks above). No objections exist against 

 prohibiting the sale of the fry of fish in the bazars. 



408. The Comniissloner of CIiMa Nngpore (October 4th, 1872) 



forwards rejilies. The Dcpnii/ Commissioner of 



Opiniong of Europpnn Uazarechavgh (July 2.3rd, 1872) observe.^ that 



Ollieinls m Cliotn Nng- an.., 1 »i • • ii • !•■■,. 



,,(„.e_ " tlicre are only three rivers in this district la 



which fish can be caught, viz., the Barrakur, the 

 Damoodah, and the Soobunrekha." During the rains these rivers are 

 too much flooded to be fished, but as they subside, fish are left in the 

 pools, and are then either netted or taken by angling. As a matter of 

 course, the supply of fish is greater just after the break-up of the rains, 

 and gradually falls off as the pools dry up during the hot weather, and 

 their contents have been almost entirely, if not quite, emptied. The 

 supply of fish is confined to the vicinity of these pools, and consecjuently 

 is not a common article of diet amongst the peojde of the district. 

 Fish are never dried or salted ; neither are the tanks stocked with youno-, 

 nor are any privately bred. J?asket traps are used which will retain the 

 smallest fry ; some tanks near tcmjilcs, which are perennial, are never 



