BY THE REV. J. E. TENISON- WOODS. 29 



are added. In some places alcoholic spirits are infused, but I 

 think this can only be to please the taste of Euroneans, for the 

 Mahometans would object to use spirits, and it could not be 

 obtained in many places where Red-fish is prepared. Finally, 

 powdered "Red-rice" is superadded for the coloring matter. 

 Mr. Cantor, following information obtained from Malacca, 

 says that Red-rice is the variety of Oryzia saliva called glutinosa 

 (Bras pulut or Bras sepulut of the Malays). The red color 

 is said to be derived from Cochineal. This may be the case at 

 Malacca and Bencoolen, bat in most places it is obtained from 

 Arnatto, which is the colouring matter surrounding the seeds of 

 Bixa orellana. After a certain time, during which the condiment 

 is left in the pickle, a little more vinegar is added, and the bottles 

 sealed up for sale. It is sold for about half a dollar a bottle. As 

 a relish there is nothing equal to it. Those who are accustomed 

 to dine in the native fashion, have with the curry and other 

 dishes, condiments and sauces, served up in little plates on a tray. 

 These are called ' Sambals,' which is the Malay name for condi- 

 ment or seasoning. One counts as many as 23 or even more, on 

 little plates, amongst which Ikan merah is always to be found. 

 Most of the * Sambals' are compounds of chillis and capsicums of 

 the most fiery kind, meant to give an additional glow to the 

 curry. It requires a long seasoning with Malay dishes to be able 

 to bear the majority of the condiments, but red-fish is a Sambal of 

 a type which is a favorite with all. 



Fish roes or " Telor Ikan " are very popular articles of food 

 amongst the Malays. There used to be an extraordinary fishing 

 station in Sumatra at a place called "Bukit Batu," (stone-hill) in 

 the strait formed by the island of Banka. The fish caught have 

 been already referred to, and the fishery is thus described by Mr. 

 Moore.* 



"The fish is called by the Malays 'Trubu.' It is known in all 

 the neighbouring seas, but found with a roe only here, which 

 makes it certain that it repairs to this favoured place for 



* Notices of the Indian Archipelago, &c, p. 29. 



