46 
in the absence of anything of greater moment, perhaps you would 
like to know something of the domestic resources of Kurrachee and 
the circumjacent country. Substantials in the shape of beef and 
mutton are plentiful and cheap ; the latter is small, very small, a leg 
weighing about four pounds, but it can occasionally be had some- 
what larger ; its price is one ana per pound. The sheep are cele- 
brated for their tails, which are of an enormous size, and one mass 
of fat. Good beef is also to be had at the same price as mutton. 
Kid’s flesh is not despised, and one day in the week pig is converted 
into pork ; but our friend so much relished in England is but little 
honoured here, none but the very lowest castes condescending to 
touch him, and his very name being an abomination ; so if you wish 
to irritate a native, hint at the “‘ suer,’’ in connection with himself, 
and the required irritation will be immediately produced. Fowls are 
brought into Kurrachee in vast numbers, and fetch four anas (six- 
pence) each. Ducks can be obtained at a little higher price, but are 
considered by the Mahometan population as unclean. Turkey being 
an expensive luxury, is only produced at mess on great nights. 
Pigeons are very plentiful, but are not worth eating, besides being 
considered holy by some of the castes. The sea and harbour supply 
us with fish m any quantity and of every size; many species are 
brought to market, from the Sardine to the noble “Seer” fish, which 
is about the size of a cod and superior to it in flavour. Oysters are 
abundant, and when in season rival “real natives :’’ for one hundred 
you pay sixpence. The pearl oyster, although not eaten, is eagerly 
sought after for its precious contents. Magnificent prawns, of 
doubtful feeding, are caught in numbers, and are sold at the ridi- 
culously low price of one ana (three halfpence) for two pounds 
weight ; they grow to an enormous size, some being 7 or 8 inches in 
length, but the smaller ones are the best. 
Ghiznee, Sept. 20, 1854. 
You will be pleased to hear that I have just received a long letter 
from Mr. Blyth, of Calcutta, who evidently opines, that, having been 
brought up in the halls of science, I must be thoroughly acquainted 
with its long-named treasures—painful delusion !—and quite easily 
requests me to procure for him species of the Soricide, Erinacide, 
Hypsipide, Malacocercide, and many others; all which I would 
most readily do. But what sort of a beast is an Hrinaceus or a 
Malacocercus, still remains a profound mystery to me, and is likely 
to be, until I get hold of a treatise on hard names which will unravel 
the secret; for if it be supposed that such knowledge ought to come 
by the “light of nature,” I can only say that she has not as yet 
illumined me by her countenance. This is why I requested a treatise 
on the science of ornithology. I shall get on better when I receive 
my books. Mr. Blyth wishes a correspondence to be kept up be- 
tween us, and of course I shall be happy to promote his views in 
every way I can. 
Shark-fishing is going on actively at present; they are caught 
in large nets, which are dragged across the harbour. The species is 
the ground-shark, the fins of which are considered a great delicacy 
