30 FISHERIES OF THE ORIENTAL REGION, 



purpose of spawning, (that is to say, in shoals, for it is always 

 plentiful at Penang, Malacca, and Singapore). The Trubu, about 

 a cubit long, is taken in three or four fathoms of water on a mud- 

 bank. About 300 boats are engaged at all seasons in the fishery, 

 with the exception of four days, during dead neap tides. The 

 roes are exported and the dried fish sent into the interior of the 

 island. The Rajah of Siak derives an annual revenue from this 

 fishery of 72,000 rupees, though the sum varies in proportion to the 

 take." 



This was more than 40 years ago, and I believe it has even 

 increased since then, so that the amount of fish captured must be 

 very large. The mode of preparation of the condiment is this. 

 The fish is opened and the roes taken out and thoroughly salted ; 

 and then they are dried in the sun, so as to leave them still 

 flexible, and capable of compression. They are then tightly packed 

 in casks for exportation. The salting is never very effectually 

 done, so that the eggs become changed in flavour after a time. 

 They are very much consumed in China, exported from Singapore 

 and Penang, but the Chinese generally re-salt them and add a little 

 arrack before they send them away. They are about eight inches 

 long and of a beautiful amber colour. They require soaking to 

 get rid of the superfluous salt, and are generally fried. They are 

 highly esteemed, but to my mind seem rather tasteless, besides 

 being exceedingly rich and indigestible. 



Isinglass. — Isinglass has long been an export from Malaysia to 

 China. It is unnecessary now-a-days to inform readers that 

 isinglass is derived from fish-maws, or sounds, or stomachs and 

 air bladders. It is generally supposed that it is derived solely 

 from the sturgeon of European rivers, but there are various 

 kinds, which, as this is not a complete treatise on the substance, 

 need not be further described. The isinglass with which we have 

 to deal, is known in commerce as East Indian isinglass. Ever 

 since the Chinese have emigrated into Malaysia they have exported 

 East Indian isinglass into their own country. It has proved 

 a most profitable trade, as fish-maws of certain kinds are much 



