BY THE REV. J. E. TENISON-WOODS. 37 



The vascular membrane, therefore, should be peeled off at once, 

 from the outside and inside, for it is found oh both. It looks like 

 white satin, and is seen to consist of transverse fibres, though there 

 is an oblique fibre outside. When dry it becomes hard, horny, and 

 translucent. The transverse fibre, of which nine-tenths of its 

 substance consists, is perfectly pure isinglass. The oblique fibre 

 is albuminous, but is easily removed by a little friction when dry. 



The Malays and Chinese fishermen take no trouble at all about 

 the sounds ; they are usually sold unopened and uncleaned, just 

 as they are taken from the fish. The fine net-work of blood- 

 vessels is hardened and dried upon the surface, and darkened with 

 blood-stains. In this state it requires much soaking to soften it, 

 and this softening and washing often dissolve much of the pure 

 isinglass within. The article becomes thus greatly impoverished 

 and deteriorated. 



If the isinglass trade is ever to be made of value in Malaysia, 

 the Chinese and Malay fishermen must be taught to cleanse the 

 sounds at once, and strip them of their membrane, when they 

 should be rinsed with a little fresh water and dried in the sun. 

 The longer they are exposed to dry in the air the better. 



The following references to the literature of the subject may be 

 found useful : — 



On Isinglass, by Theodore Cantor. Proceedings Zool. Soc. 

 London, Vol. VIII., 1839. 



Catalogue of Malayan Fishes, by the same author. Journ. 

 Asiatic Soc. Bengal, 1849, Vol. XVIII. (pp. i.-xii., 983-1443). 

 Introduction iii., 2, 28, 59, 60, 62, 63, 65, 68, 70, 72, 74, 81, 170, 

 256, 258, 259, 261. 



Crawfurd, Hist. Ind. Archipel. Vol. III. p. 440. Edinburgh, 

 1820. 



On Isinglass in Polynemus sele, by Dr. J. McClelland. 

 Journ. Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. VIII. Calcutta, 1839. 



