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fish have decreased of late years. Nets used for tank- fishing " have meshes 

 of one inch or half inch. 1 " Fish baskets, fish snares, and fishing stakes 

 are employed in taking fish. The Tehsildar of Bunder observes that 

 the fishermen are also agriculturists and coolies. About 2,000 persons eat 

 fish ; the markets are not sufficiently supplied, but generally are so when 

 there is a fair. The amount in the waters are not increasing. The mini- 

 mum size of the mesh of the nets is one-fourth of an inch. The Tehsildar 

 of Repalli replies that the Palla, Mutrachulu, and Eesta are fishermen; 

 they also engage in other work. About 600 people eat fish; in fact all 

 castes, except Brahmins, Vysyas, goldsmiths, and carpenters, preferring 

 it, however, fresh. The local markets are never supplied ; 10 or 12 baskets 

 of small fish are brought for sale once a week. The minimum size of 

 the mesh of nets is that of the ring finger. The Tehsildar of Gudewada 

 observes that fishing baskets, fishing stakes, and snares are employed ; 

 water also is dammed up and baled out. The Tehsildar of Sattenapally 

 answers that the fishermen only are engaged in this work for a portion of 

 the year ; during the remainder they employ themseves in other trades. 

 About 20,000 persons of all castes, except Brahmins, Komaties, and 

 Kamsalies or goldsmiths, eat fish, preferring the salted article. Fish are 

 only brought to market to a small extent ; the amount in the waters has 

 decreased of late years ; the smallest sized mesh employed is one -tenth of 

 an inch, the largest one inch. A basket snare termed ' Ota/ and a snare 

 called 'Mavu/ are used for fishing. The Tehsildar of Palnad observes 

 that the fishermen are likewise agriculturists and coolies ; none earn 

 their living by fishing. All castes eat fish, except Brahmins, Komaties, 

 goldsmiths, and Linga Balijalu. The local markets are not sufficiently 

 supplied ; the amount in the waters has continued stationary ; the usual 

 size of the mesh of the nets is from one pie to a 4-anna piece. Fishing bas- 

 kets and other wicker snares are employed. The Tehsildar of Bezwada 

 replies that the Waddies and Jalars catch fish in the rivers. Persons of 

 all castes, excepting Brahmins, Komaties, Linga Balijis and Kamsalies, 

 eat fish, with which the markets are insufficiently supplied ; the fresh is 

 preferred to the salted. The amount in the waters has decreased. The 

 minimum size of the mesh of the nets will admit one finger. [This 

 is incorrect ; I have seen nets used there which would not permit a fly 

 to go through.] Basket and wicker-work snares are employed. The 

 Tehsildar of Guntur answers that the fishermen are also agriculturists ; 

 all castes, with the exceptions previously noted, eat fish, preferring it 

 salted. The markets are very insufficiently supplied, and the amount 

 in the waters has decreased. The smallest mesh of the nets employed 

 is one-fourth of an inch. Baskets are used in fishing. The Tehsildar 

 of Vinukonda observes that there are no regular fishing castes, but that 

 agriculturists and others capture fish. About 200 persons of all castes, 

 with the exceptions previously noted, eat fish, preferring it fresh ; the 

 markets are not sufficiently supplied ; the amount in the waters continues 

 to be stationary. Fishing baskets are employed in this talooka. 



175. In the Nellur Colleclorate, nine Tehsildars report that the 

 fishing population employ their time at this 

 occupation when fish are to be had, and 

 at other times act as agriculturists, labourers, 

 palanquin-bearers, coolies, &c. ; and only a very few live exclusively by 



