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discover any satisfactory reason for this prohibition ; the only one given 

 is, that it has been the custom from all time. I am assured, however, 

 that an Agurwala Banian would be turned out of caste for eating fish, 

 while a Brahmin would not be. "The Collector of Azimgurh (May 

 13th, 1872) observed that at his " request Dr. Wood, Civil Surgeon of 

 Azimgurh, has drawn up a very full and interesting memo, on the 

 subject which I enclose." (I omit transcriptions from it, as it will 

 be referred to.) " Much of the water-supply is diverted for irrigation, 

 or otherwise dries up by evaporation, and it is then that the principal 

 destruction of fish and fry ensues. But it appears to me that 

 this destruction is unavoidable from the nature of the case, and that 

 unless we are prepared to prohibit irrigation from these streams and ponds 

 when the water is low, a proposition which could not be seriously enter- 

 tained ; " &c. [neither has it ever been proposed, that I am aware of, any 

 more than the existence of fixed engines for the destruction of the fry of 

 fish, at every outlet in flooded fields, has been advanced as necessary for 

 purposes of irrigation.] He considers it would neither be just nor 

 expedient for Government to interfere with present customs, whilst 

 rewards for crocodiles would only result in the expenditure of a con- 

 siderable sum of money. Is " totally averse from all interference in 

 other parts of the district." Any measure would necessitate establish- 

 ments which, " it is to be feared, would be mere engines of oppression and 

 extortion. Further, the adoption of protective or prohibitive measures 

 would everywhere give rise to general misconception and misapprehen- 

 sion of the views of Government, and foster those feelings of discontent 

 which the taxation of recent years has undoubtedly engendered/'' The 

 memo., drawn up at the request of the Collector by the Givil Surgeon of 

 Azimgurh, is very discursive, but the following are a synopsis of his 

 replies. As to whether breeding-fish or very young ones are destroyed 

 to any great extent ? Of " those fish, spawned and matured in the 

 district, that is, those found in j 'hits andtheiroflshoots, '*"* when the rains 

 cease, the temporary streams gradually lessen and dry, and then it is the 

 destruction of fry takes place. Then the fishermen most exert, them- 

 selves, and by the employment of nets, and they often of a most minute 

 mesh, catch wholesale fairly grown fish and fry alike. There is no doubt 

 that by such practice much waste is caused." He goes on to define this 

 waste that if the fish were permitted to grow, more food would be avail- 

 able ; still he does not think this waste, because they are actually consumed. 

 " Damming is said to be the favourite method of fish, or rather perhaps 

 fry, killing. Very common and very fatal is the construction of small 

 dams and embankments into which the water is first led, and then 

 drained off, leaving the fish ; these are generally fry, high 



and dry, an easy prey to the village children, in these cases very frequently 

 the depredators. These fish, however, are also used as food, and seen never 

 to glut the market." In large rivers during the rains, netting is stated 

 to be impracticable ; that subsequently the mesh is <( 4 inches from knot 

 to knot." " When these rivers overflow their banks, and that is no 

 rare occurrence, then considerable loss of fry and fish life results, as the 

 water, retreating, leaves them stranded on the higher ground ; but even 

 these are not actually lost or wasted, as the lower caste people collect and 

 consume this, thus so easily obtainable, staple of food." " With respect 



