454 Official papers on Isinglass. 



my surmise be correct, that all sounds are not in substance 

 the same, and that only particular kinds possess the proper- 

 ty of Isinglass, an examination of the specimens now sent, 

 and to be sent hereafter, may afford the means of directing 

 me as to the particular kinds available, which will obviate 

 much inconvenience that would otherwise accrue from an 

 indiscriminate collection of sounds, part of which might 

 subsequently be found useless for the purpose to which they 

 were intended. The fish of this part of the province are, I 

 believe, common to the whole coast of Tenasserim, farther 

 than which I have no opportunity of ascertaining at present. 

 It will be a subject of interest to ascertain whether they are 

 also common to the coral formation of the Straits and Java 

 sea, and this I intend making a subject of inquiry. I have 

 frequently observed both in the Straits and Java, that the 

 Chinese have the dried sounds exposed for sale in their 

 shops, but at this date I am incapable of saying whether pro- 

 curable on the spot, or by importation ; and cannot say with 

 certainty, whether the fish of this coast be also common to 



those waters. 



E. O'Reily. 

 Amherst, 20th August, 1841. 



Memorandum on Mr. O'Reily's Paper. 



The four kinds of fish forwarded from the Tenasserim Coast are com- 

 mon in Calcutta,* but the size of the specimens appears to be greater 

 than they attain here. 



Having been merely placed in a wooden box with spirits, which soon 

 escaped, the specimens arrived in a putrid state, but having sprinkled 

 a little of the solution of chloride of lime over them I was enabled 

 to examine them, and to make the annexed rough sketches, which may 

 render Mr. O'Reily's remarks more easily understood. 



Of the several kinds of Bola Isinglass has been made, and samples 

 of it are contained in one of the packages sent home by the Govern- 

 ment to the Honourable Court. The Bola are fine fishes, peculiar to 

 India, and supposed to resemble the whiting in flavour and appearance. 



* No. 1. Bacti of Bengal, or Cois vacti, Buchanan. — No. 2. The Nuria, or Bola ehaptis of 

 Buchanan. — No. 3. The Coi Bola of the natives, or Bola coitor, Buchanan.— No. 4. Polynemus 

 sele, or Suleah of the Bengal fishermen. 



