XCV1U 



that it should be noted that all tanks and rivers are dry during the hot 

 season.] The minimum size of the mesh of the nets employed is given 

 by one Tehsildar as equal to a grain of gram, another as one-sixteenth 

 of an inch, and by two at one-eighth of an inch. Baskets or basket 

 traps are spoken of as existing in four talookas, poisoning of the waters 

 to obtain fish in three, and doubtful in a fourth. 



182. In the Salem Collectorate the three Sub -Magistrates or Teh- 



sildars observe that all persons who engage 



Opinions of Native officials in j fi M haye th occupat ions as well, 

 the Salem Collectorate. 111,1 i - T> i tr j- 



All the people, excepting Brahmins, Komaties, 



and a few others, eat fish, the numbers in two talookas being estimated 

 at 250,000, and in the third at four-fifths of the population. The fresh 

 is preferred to the salted. The markets are sufficiently supplie'd in one, 

 small quantities are sold in another, whilst in the remaining talooka suffi- 

 cient is not obtainable. The amount in the waters is stationary in one 

 district, whilst it has decreased in the other two. The minimum size 

 of the meshes employed are from one-fourth to half an inch. Baskets 

 are reported as employed for taking fish, and poisoning of the waters for 

 this purpose as resorted too at Oossoor. 



183. From the North Arcot Collectorate 



North Arcot Collectorate, no no answers to the questions for Tehsildar8 

 answers. . 



have been forwarded. 



184. In the South Arcot Collectorate the replies appear to be from 



one Teksildar, who has also answered the 

 tivfo U fficiafs Pim nS queries put to Collectors. He observes that 



there is a tax annually which includes 



fish, grass, and the other productions of tanks which is charged to the 

 village in a lump sum, and paid by the village community in certain 

 specified shares. Fish are caught as soon as bred, and not allowed to 

 remain for any length of time ; large and small are indiscriminately 

 taken ; the mesh of the nets being as small as one-eighth of an inch in 

 diameter. How much soever fresh fish is brought to the markets meets 

 a ready sale, but it does not keep long in this country, but putrefies 

 within a few hours of its capture, more especially the smaller kinds. The 

 fishermen are Pullies, who are known as Shemdavars ; they are agricul- 

 turists, and fishing is a subsidiary occupation. About 90 per cent, of the 

 people eat fish, the Brahmins, Sivites, and Jains excepted; the fresh is 

 most esteemed; the supply is quite inadequate to the demand; the 

 amount in the waters has decreased. 



185. In the Tinnevelli Collectorate eight Tehsildars report as fol- 



lows . The chief castes that fish in the fresh 

 ters are Savalakarars, Paravars, and Lub- 

 bays, but they all have other occupations, as 

 agriculturists, coolies, arrack-distillers, musicians, &c. The majority of the 

 people, excepting Brahmins and high-caste Sudras, eat fish, the amount 

 being computed in seven talookas at 800,685 persons, and in the remain- 

 ing talookas at three-fourths of the population. Fish is preferred to 

 fresh ; in six talookas the markets are insufficiently supplied ; in two suffici- 

 ently ; a decrease of the amount in the waters is reported in four talookas, 

 an increase in three ; no distinct answer in the remaining one. The 

 minimum size of the mesh of the nets varies from the size of a grain 



