(.8 Timehri. 



tricts. An inferior kind of isinglass is collected from it. The dawalla 

 i 1 1 vpophthahnus edentatus) and the tiger fish (Pseudoplaty stoma fascia- 

 turn) are also much relished by Indians and bovianders. 



Toe-nail fishes are so called by some Creoles from the resemblance of 

 the armour plates to nail parings. They are closely allied to the skin 

 fishes but deserve special mention for their peculiarities. To this section 

 belong the hassars, the common species. Hoplosternum littorale. being- 

 one of the most delicate fishes in the world. In soups, stews and pepper- 

 pot it is relished by everyone and may be considered an epicure's fish. 

 ( overed with a coat of mail and living in mud there is nothing attractive 

 in its appearance, yet it has been picked out as superior in taste to all the 

 lovely denizens of our waters. Other species are not popular, one called 

 the sea hassar. which however cannot live in salt water, is not considered 

 edible, but I cannot see why. This is Plecostomus watwata and there are 

 other species of the genus, all of which have stronger armour plates than 

 the hassar. This protection however culminates in the Doras, some hav- 

 ing strong spines on every plate. It may be mentioned that many of the 

 skin and toe-nail fishes have their pectoral spines sharp and covered with 

 thorns or spines which, when the fish is caught, will inflict severe cuts on 

 the hand as the fins are spasmodically moved. At the same time the fish 

 emits a grunting noise which together with the scratch often causes it to 

 be dropped. 



Sharks, saw-fish and rays form a class that is not much appreciated 

 for food I have however seen an angler catching sharp-noses (Carchari- 

 nus oxyrhynchus) and hammer-heads (Sphyrna zygaena) off our wharves 

 and no doubt young sharks are very good. Saw-fish ( Pristis perottetti) 

 are also eaten. Skates, rays and sea-devils are looked upon with dis- 

 gust, but there is no reason why they should not be utilised. 



Eels are never eaten by the Creoles, in fact they are looked upon as 

 water-snakes. The universal Anguilla chrysypa is sometimes found here 

 but the more common eel is the Lycodontis ocellatus, the mooray. which 

 is probably as luscious and wholesome as the other. Occasionally a con- 

 ger is seen in the market, but I understand that their only use is for bait- 

 Were it not for unfounded prejudices many kinds of wholesome food 

 could be utilized. 



The electric eel is sometimes eaten by the Indians of the interior but 

 its shock is so little relished that fishing for it is not common. Allied 

 fishes called logo-logo (Eigenmannia virescens) and curiberu fGymnotus 

 carapus) are sometimes eaten but there is very little meat on their flat 

 ribbon-like bodies. 



Two soles (called flounders) are sometimes te be had in the market ; 

 one is Archirus lineatus and the other Soleonasis finis. They are said to 

 be much liked by Chinese, but as no supply is ever obtained our cooks 

 probably know nothing of the usual method of preparing them. Possibly 

 they might be got in quantity if there were a demand. 



