SOME STRANGE FISH 



developing electricity. A large kind of barbel named the 

 binny^ also found in the mud, is greatly prized by the 

 Nile dwellers, though to English palates it would be 

 tasteless. 



In less civilised parts of the continent on the Gambia 

 River, for example we find fish-spearing as mentioned 

 above, as well as mud-searching. The West African 

 Negroes are very fond of the " mud-eel," which, according 

 to some naturalists, ought to be classed as a reptile on 

 account of its foot-like fins. When the floods subside, 

 thousands of these are left high and dry, and promptly 

 bury themselves in the mud, which soon becomes hard 

 and earthy, and here they would remain till the next 

 inundation if the Negroes did not come along with wooden 

 forks and dig them out. 



The inhabitants of the Congo Free State use fish-spears, 

 as well as long metal hooks, which they hold in their 

 hands. The people of Madagascar are more advanced, 

 and have for centuries known the art of making hempen 

 nets and barbed hooks. 



In the Indian Ocean is another curiosity called the 

 " drum-fish," which the island fishermen of the Seychelles, 

 Amirantes, etc. often take with hand-lines, and which is 

 highly esteemed as an article of food ; it has earned its 

 name from its habit of making a booming noise when 

 pursuing or pursued ; in size and taste it is not unlike cod. 



The fisheries of India scarcely differ from those of 

 China, the only deep-sea work done by the natives being 

 practically confined to the pearl-oyster. But a river fish 

 greatly sought after by native anglers is the tupsee or 



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