Food-Fishes of the Li'ao Basin^ North China. 265 



some rocky promontory is situated the fishing village, and 

 fishing junks and boats of various sizes find friendly shelter. 

 Shore fishermen also reside in cottages scattered along the 

 seaboard. Wooden stilts, 4 to 5 feet in height, which when 

 in use are strapped firmly to the leg, are in requisition. By 

 their aid the fishermen can wade in deep water. A large net 

 is pushed along in front ; a small hand-net is kept for 

 emptying it, while the fish-basket, supported on floats, is 

 dragged behind. 



While on a visit there I have observed that the Alor^e 

 growing on rocks were scarce and stinted, and the shells of 

 sliore-mollusks seemed dwarfed in size. Mud held in suspen- 

 sion must be an important factor in determining the forms of 

 life that find in the river a suitable habitat. Distributed by 

 currents it may also have a ujodifying influence on the fauna 

 of the adjacent coast,. Temperature is also an important 

 factor. For two months in summer the heat is tropical, 

 while during the winter the sea is frozen across for from two 

 to three months. 



When the river is in flood the country is under water for 

 long distances. When the waters subside fish can be caught 

 in pools and ditches by waysides. 



Fishing to a limited extent is carried on during winter 

 through holes made and kept open in the ice. 



In addition to the fishes enumerated in Dr. Giinther's 

 paper others, belonging to the genera Scomber ^ Gadus^ Clupea, 

 Platessa, and Solea, may be found at times in the market at 

 Newchwang. 



The genus Culter — like the greater number of specimens in 

 the collection — is in common use for food among the Chinese, 

 but does not appear on the table of foreign residents. 



Mugil so-iuy is a valuable food-fish. The flesh is a little 

 softer than that of the herring or trout, but the flavour is 

 pleasant, and it is procurable for the greater part of the year. 

 Ilarpodon nehereus (the " silver fish " of foreign residents) 

 answers in some measure to " whitebait," and is in frequent 

 request for the foreign table. 



Anguilla hostoniensis. — Smoked eel affords a palatable dish. 

 During winter fish are readily preserved in the frozen con- 

 dition. This affords facility for transport, but makes it at 

 times difficult to trace the species to their native habitat. 

 The " codfish " (size comparable to that of an average 

 haddock) of foreign residents is caught on the western coast 

 of the peninsula during the early days of December, and, 

 along with oysters of good quality, sent up to the port in the 

 frozen condition. It is not supplied at any other time. Like- 



