ON THE ECONOMICAL USES OF FISHES. 211 



Another substance called caviare is procured from 

 the sturgeon. It is the salted roe of that fish, formed 

 into a soft mass, or into cakes, and is much esteemed 

 as food by the Russians, who, besides, export it in 

 considerable quantities to this and other countries. 

 For our part, we only wonder that any but a Rus- 

 sian stomach can bear it *. 



Fresh water fishes are probably found no where 

 more plentiful than in the great rivers and lakes of 

 the Celestial Empire, and it is said, that no nation 

 on the earth puts in practice a greater variety of 

 modes for catching fish than the Chinese. Some 

 of these are very ingenious, and quite in accordance 

 with the general character of the whole nation. 

 One plan of fishing is pursued with great success, 

 and with little trouble, on moonlight nights, in long 

 and narrow boats, attached to which, on each side, 

 is fastened a plank, covered with shining japan, and 

 nearly touching the water. The fish are attracted 

 to the spot by the light of the moon's rays as reflect- 

 ed from the burnished surface, and great numbers 

 are taken which have either actually leapt into the 

 boat, or got upon the board. 



A species of cormorant, a kind of sea-bird, well 

 known as an expert diver, and which feeds on fish, 

 is domesticated by the Chinese fishermen, and used 



* We had almost forgot to mention, that there is yet 

 another economical substance procured from the sturgeon, 

 for " the ligamento-cartilaginous cord which pervades the 

 spine, constitutes a Russian delicacy, named vesiga" 



