CX111 



proportion of people who eat fish, but probably one-third if they could 

 get it. The supply has decreased owing to their having 1 been more 

 sought after and the late droughts. Large quantities of very small fish 

 are taken in nets during the rains, the smallest size of the meshes being 

 one-eleventh of an inch. Breeding fish are not trapped in the fields 

 during the rains. The various sorts of fishing carried on are netting, 

 trapping, snaring, and poisoning. The nets are common to those em- 

 ployed elsewhere in India ; their local names are as follows : Pelue, 

 Suwale bhuwar, Pagajall, Furukjall, Mahajall, Mullputty, Helku, Khu- 

 wara, Nahootree. 



238. The Teksildar of Buldana states that there are about 3,000 



fishermen in the district, amongst whom a 

 Bd n c:NatlTCofficlal at very small Dumber restrict themselves to 



fishing : their castes are Mulharkollee, Bebe- 



kollee, Bhoee, Bhamtee. The local markets are not fully supplied with 

 fish ; there is a demand for more. The cost of fish is for large sorts four, 

 and for small eight seers for a rupee ; for mutton first sort four, second sort 

 six seers a rupee. Nine-tenths of the population are fish-eaters. The 

 supply has decreased of late years owing to the droughts. Very minute 

 ones are taken in small quantities during the rains by means of nets and 

 cloths. The minimum size of the mesh of nets employed is one-third of 

 an inch. Fish are not trapped during the rains. The various sorts of 

 fishing are as follows : first by means of nets termed " jalla;" secondly 

 by hooks called " gull ;" thirdly by traps, "Essara," which is done by erect- 

 ing rough stone piles on both sides of a stream, then spreading a mat of the 

 " Nurgood" plant over the piles ; the stream is then diverted, so as to pour 

 over the mat, on which as the stream falls the fish are taken. This 

 mode is resorted to when the water is as deep as the knee. Fish are 

 also taken by means of " Goomlas," which somewhat resemble the straw 

 envelopes for bottles ; they are made of reeds of the " Nurgood" plant ; 

 these traps are placed in shallow streams in the rainy season into which 

 the fish enter, but it prevents their return. Another plan is to make a 

 pit in the bed of a river, then to cut a channel into it from the stream ; as 

 the water goes in the fish enter with it. Disturbing the water of a stream 

 so as to cause it to become muddy is said sometimes to cause the fish to die. 



239. The Tehsildar of Bassim states there are 500 fishermen 



known as Bhoees in the district, but they all 

 of B P S f the ^^ ffiCial have other occupations ; fishing, however, is 



not restricted to a particular class, for ex- 

 cluding the Brahmins, men of all other castes at times join in it. The 

 weekly markets are well supplied with fish, but probably more could 

 be sold, two-thirds of the people being fish-eaters. Fish are indis- 

 criminately caught in all seasons without regard to size. The smallest 

 size of the mesh of the nets may be described as so very minute as not 

 to admit the escape of any but the very smallest fry. Fish are taken 

 by hook, "gull;" nets, "jhalur " damming streams, and by means of 

 poison, "jher," but no other traps or snares are in general use. 



240. The Tehsildar of Amraotee gives 80 fishermen, " Bhoees," all 



of whom follow other occupations. The mar- 

 Opinion of Native official of kets are insufficiently supplied. The cost of 



w?e, . ,, . " IP 11 / 



fish is, for large, 8 annas, and for small, 4 



