PULLAH FISHING. 73 



The Pullali fisliciy, for which the Indus is 

 celebrated, is entirely in the hands of the 

 Mianis. This is the Hilsah, or sable fish of the 

 Ganges, and is considered the most delicate fish 

 that swims. It is caught in this wise : — The 

 fisherman, being provided with a hollow float 

 of about five feet in diameter, a bag net, having 

 a string tied to the narrow end, attached to a 

 long pole and a stiletto, after commending 

 himself to the protection of God, j^ropels liis 

 float into the middle of the stream ; he then 

 turns his face up the river, and as he floats 

 down thrusts the net into deep water, its mouth 

 being kept down the stream, and the narrow 

 end drawn up by the string held in his hand. 

 The fish, which lie with their heads up-stream, 

 strike through the opening into the net. When 

 a fish announces his presence by the shock which 

 he gives to the net, the string is slackened, the 

 pole raised, and the net drawn up ; by tliese 

 movements the net is first opened and then 

 closed upon the fish, which when brought to 

 the surface is pierced by the stiletto, dejDosited 

 in the hollow float, and the net is sunk again. 

 The fisherman after a time makes for the shore, 

 betakes himself with his gear to his former 



