PLATANISTA. 423 



some time in the hope that she would again show her vitality by coming up 

 to the surface, my desire was disappointed, for her position was at length alone 

 indicated by a profuse discharge of air bubbles over the spot where she was 

 submerged. The rope now proved of use, for on gently pulling her out I found 

 to my chagrin that all life had ceased. 



When the dolphin is purposely sought for, which does not, however, 

 appear to be a frequent occurrence in Bengal, it is transfixed by a harpoon,^ 

 in the use of which, in catching Trionyx gangeticus^ some of the fishermen are 

 experts. 



At Sukkur, on the Indus, the Dhopels are said to catch dolphins in shallow 

 water by the aid of trained otters. 



The flesh and blubber are occasionally eaten by many of the low-caste Hindus 

 of India, such as the Gurhwals, the Domes of Jessore and Dacca districts, the 

 Harrees, Bourees, Bunos, Bunpurs, Tekas, ToUahas, the Domes of Burdwan and 

 Bhagulpore, who compare it to venison ; also by the Teewars and Machooas of Patna, 

 the Mussahars of Shahabad, the Gourhs and Teers of Tirhoot, and the Mullahs of 

 Sarun. In the North- West Provinces about Allahabad, the Chumars, Passees, 

 Kooras, Khewuts or Mallahs, have rather a high estimate of the flesh, which they 

 assert resembles turtle. The Koonths of Benares, Phunkeeas, Natehmurrahs, and 

 Budhoas of Moradabad, and also such gipsy tribes as the Sainsees, Kunjars, and 

 Hubbossahs in the neighbourhood of Meerut, do not despise it. In the Punjab 

 we find the Choorahs, Dhapels, Sainsees, Budous, and Burars eating the flesh ; and 

 in Sind, the Kehuls. The Moras, a tribe of Mahomedan boatmen who lead a 

 wandering life on the streams in the Punjab and in Sind, subsist on the dolphin 

 when by good chance they catch one ; this is also the case with the Cacharies and 

 the Nagas of Assam. The Sansee women on the Indus eat the flesh under the idea 

 that it makes them prolific. 



All along the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus the oil is universally considered 

 as of great value as an embrocation in rheumatism and for giving much strength 

 when rubbed on the back and loins. But many other animal oils, such as those of 

 various species of turtle, the crocodile, and the peKcan, have a similar reputation. 

 It is said to be of a very penetrating nature, and owing to this property it is highly 

 prized for preserving leather, such as harness, &c. The illuminating powers of this 

 oil are said to be very high. The Mooreahs of Assam, who work in brass, use it 

 whenever they can, burning it in httle earthen lamps, as the light it gives is more 

 clear and brilliant than that to be obtained from fish or mustard oil. Also the 

 natives along the banks of the Ganges and Indus value it much for its lighting 



* The harpoon consists of a long thin hamhoo, varying in length from 6 to 9 feet, into the thick end of which an 

 iron harb, fitted in a wooden socket, is let loosely. A strong cord is attached to the base of the iron barb, and its other 

 end is tied round the socket end of the bamboo. The cord, which may be from 40 to 50 feet long, is then coiled 

 round the bamboo from below upwards. This spear-harpoon is thrown with wonderful precision at the turtle or 

 dolphin as it raises its head to breathe. When transfixed, the animal plunges into the deep water, caii-ying the barb 

 away with it, whilst the line spins out from off the bamboo-shaft, which floats on the surface, or disappears to rise again, 

 marking the position of the wounded animal. 



