4 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF COCHIN. _ {Jan. 10, 
During the south-west monsoon, which lasts from the commence- 
ment of June until the middle of August, an immense amount of 
fresh water finds its exit by these rivers; and it is said that the sea, 
for sometimes as much as two miles from the shore, is comparatively 
saltless. Of course, at this period, whole tribes of fish migrate, whilst 
others take their place. 
The exact amount of salt fish exported from British and Native 
Cochin I have been unable to ascertain; but in the neighbouring 
state of Travancore the average yearly exports by land and sea are a 
little above 44,000 bundles, of about the declared value of £3150. 
Ceylon is the chief market for salt fish ; and, off British Cochin, 
Ceylonese boats may frequently be perceived scudding along, their 
occupants capturing the fish, which, after having salted, they carry 
back to their own country. A heavy salt-tax renders the outlay 
necessary for the purchase of any quantity of this condiment almost 
an impossibility to the poor fishermen of the coast; it is conse- 
quently only the moneyed man who can engage in the curing of fish. 
But large taxes on its sea export, duties on its transit along the 
backwater, vexatious scrutinies and detentions at the various Custom 
Houses do not conduce to the success of this trade. 
The Mackerel, Saw-fish, Rays, Sharks, and the Chirocentrus 
dorab are those most commonly salted; whilst the Sardines, which 
sometimes appear in enormous numbers, are turned into fish-oil, 
although the manufacturer of this article is not very particular as to 
the exact species which ‘finds its way into his boiling-pot. These 
fisheries, which might be made extensively available for increasing 
the amount of human food, have been applied to quite another use, 
although one which is very profitable to Europe. As the market for 
fish has increased, the supply has kept pace with the demand; and 
the greater part of those not consumed when fresh are manufactured 
into oil, as the following figures of the exports and imports of British 
Cochin will demonstrate :— 
Imported. Exported. 
Fish-oil. cwt. cwt. 
In five years ending 1845, 1846.... 36 66 
95 y 1850;1851.. 912 3,586 
a5 Sp 1855, 18562... 31,196 91,077 
” ” 1860, 1861.... 24,142 98,151 
The livers of the Sharks and Rays also afford excellent oil, which 
is used in the Government hospitals as a substitute for cod-liver oil. 
This was formerly manufactured in British Cochin ; but for the last 
few years has been so at Calicut. Two species of fish-roes are ex- 
tensively sold, those most esteemed when fresh being the small ones 
of the Hemiramphus, whilst the largest are taken from the Mullets ; 
these last are often dried and even exported. I was unable to as- 
certain that isinglass had ever been made in Cochin ; but-remarks 
on the uses to which the various fish are put will be placed with the 
respective species. 
In Europe, from very early ages, fisheries have been protected by 
