( 170 ) 



JAMAICA. 



(See Plan, p. 76.) 



THIS island is situated in the Caribbean Sea, and to the southward of the eastern extremity 

 of Cuba, within N. latitude 17 40' and 18 30' ; it is 140 miles long, 50 in extreme breadth, and 

 contains 4200 square miles. The population by the last census (1881) was 580,804, of which 

 14,433 were whites. 



The waters of Jamaica abound in excellent fish, but its fisheries are not utilized to any 

 extent. The best illustration of this fact is that the importation of cured fish amounts 

 annually to 200,000, whilst the take of fresh fish at their doors is only 30,000 per annum. 



The Jamaica Institute, with'the view of developing these resources, and making the people 

 more independent and self-supporting, and stimulating fish curing, are offering prizes for 

 specimens. There is not much enterprise, however, shown at present, although the fisheries 

 are capable of easy expansion. The number of boats and canoes employed is about 1000, and 

 of men 3000. 



Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) are exported alive, and sun-dried, and tortoise-shell from the 

 Chelonia inibricata. They are mostly caught at the Cayman Island and the Moraut and 

 Pedro Cays. The exports of turtle amount to 1000 per annum, of tortoise-shell 2000 per 

 annum. The latter is manufactured into ornaments and useful articles in the colony. 



The principal salt-water fishes are : The Calipevaor Jamaica Salmon, June fish attaining 

 the large size of 200 to 304 Ibs., Hog-fish, Angel-fish, Dolphin, Porgee, Grouper, Sun-fish, 

 Grunts, Croakers, and Drummers; all the three last deriving their names from the sounds 

 they utter when caught ; Snappers, Silts, caught at 200 fathoms in depth ; King-fish, 

 Barracouta, and many others which limited space will not admit of naming. Of fresh-water 

 fish, the best are: Mountain Mullet, Crayfish, Silver Eel, Mud-fish, &c. ; and in brackish 

 waters, Jew- fish and Calipeva. Fish are caught with lines, fish-pots, and the seine. The 

 price varies from IJd. to 6d. per pound. Reference is suggested to the Handbook of Jamaica, 

 and an interesting paper thereon by Anthony Musgrave, Junr. 



Most of the Jamaica fishes are represented in preserved form, either in alcohol or 

 stuffed, grouped in various parts of the Court. The entire collection has been loaned by the 

 Jamaica Institute. A. J. ADDERLEY. 



LIST OF EXHIBITS. 



(1) Map of Jamaica, prepared from the best authorities under the direction of Major 

 General J. R. Mann, B.E., Director of Roads, and Surveyor-General by Thomas Harrison, 

 Government Surveyor, Kingston, Jamaica, 1873. (2) Collection of Stuffed Fish. (3) Water 

 Colour Paintings of Sea Fish, prepared by Mrs. Curtis, of Kingston. (4) Case of Carapaces 

 of Green Turtle and Hawk's Bill Turtle. (5) Two Cases of Manufactured Tortoise Shell. 

 Exhibited by Edward Andrews, 215, Tower Street, Kingston, Jamaica. (6) Case of Sun-dried 

 Green Turtle, Callipee, Calapash, and Prepared Dried Skin, Bottle of Green Turtle Fat, and 

 bottle of pure Turtle Oil. Prepared by Mrs. E. Murray Auld. (7) Case of different sorts of 

 Bathing Sponges. (8) Model of a Canoe. Exhibited by Inspector Rivett (Jamaica Con- 

 stabulary), sent from Sav.-la-Mar, Westmoreland. (9) Model of Fishing Canoe, in general use 

 on the coast, made by E. Sullivan, pilot and fisherman, of Bull Bay, St. Thomas in the East. 

 It is usually hewn out of the trunk of the silk cotton tree, and the cleats, &c. are of calabash 

 wood. Three men are the number commonly employed on fishing expeditions, the canoe 

 being worked with paddles or a sail. (10) Model of Fresh-water Fishpot, for taking mullet, 

 snook, &c. Presented by Sub-Inspector Rivett, parish of Westmoreland. (11) Withes used 

 for mooring fish pots. Presented by Sub-Inspector Rivett, parish of Westmoreland. (12) 

 Model of Single-funnelled Fish-pot. Made by Sullivan, Bull Bay, out of split bamboo. (13) 

 Model of Double-funnelled Fish-pot. Made by Sullivan, Bull Bay, out of split bamboo. 



WATERPROOF FISHING GOATS, 



TO SHORTEN AT PLEASURE, AND WITH INNER CUFFS 

 TO PREVENT WATER RUNNING UP. 



ANDERSON, ABBOTT, & ANDERSON^ 



37, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.G. 



