190 Fishing on the Neilghe, Chapt. xyi. 



purpose tn try and discover if there were any decent fish. Miser- 

 able little carp of this size swarm, and choke the water in the 

 Ootacamund and the Lovedale Lakes. They ought to he kept within 

 bounds by constant netting; and, if sold in the weekly markets, 

 would probably find purchasers enough among tin' natives to pay 

 & >r their capture, and to create a fund for the improvement of the 

 fishery; for a little fresh fish diet of any sort would be very highly 

 relished on the Neilgherries, where at present it cannot be had 

 really fresh for any price. But the fishing should not be let on 

 contract, but conducted systematically under the superintendence 

 of some trustworthy person nr persons deputed by the municipality, 

 i >r 1 >y a committee of gentlemen-residents interested in improving 

 the fishery. All Tench and Carnatic Carp should be carefully- 

 replaced, so as not to injure the rod fishing, from which source 

 some slight revenue is now derived by means of rod licences. 

 Anglers would soon find that such systematic netting would 

 improve, not injure, their chances of sport It would give the 

 Tench a better chance of increasing in size and numbers, but 

 especially in size. At present they seem to be a good deal starved 

 out by the Carp. 



The Tench, the only other fish I have seen in the Ootacamund 

 Lake, were likewise brought at great pains and expense from 

 England ; whereas the Indian rivers teem with fish of a more 

 or less similar nature that far excel it in size, flavour, prolificacy, 

 adaptation to the climate, and sport for the angler. I allude to the 

 Labeos, running to 3 feet and 5 feet in length, and very thick fish 

 for their length. Some of these might have been very easily 

 brought from the river running at the foot of those same hills, and 

 might even now be thus broughl and introduced with advantage. 



Lochleven Trout are said to have been introduced into the 

 Pykara stream by the late Mr. MclvOT. I never saw one alive 

 in India, nor did Dr. Day, and their existence lias been very much 

 questioned; but the one fish, said by Mr. Mclvor to have been 

 . aught with five others by his men near Pykara, and sent by him 

 to me in spirits, just as 1 was going down the Ghat, on the 

 ll'th October, 187f>, had bright red spots, as if quite fresh then. I 

 had only just time hurriedly to wrap it in white muslin so as 

 to bear the journey better, and to replace it in the spirits till 

 I should reach the end of my journey. At my tirst leisure I 



