Official papers on Isinglass. 455 



They are caught at all seasons, and never at any time form, as far as I have 

 seen, any very exclusive feature in the fish market, such as migratory 

 fishes do when in season. For this reason their isinglass, though good, 

 is never likely to become very important. 



With regard to No. 4, or Suleah, it seems to be r procurable in unlimited 

 numbers on all parts of the coasts of India, and if cured, as it might 

 be, would afford a great stock of provisions, but from the size of the 

 fish, each being from 50 to 100 lbs. weight, it is too much for the 

 natives to manage. It may fairly be expected, however, that the value 

 of the isinglass afforded by this species, will lead to some general ar- 

 rangements for taking as well as curing it. 



Two specimens of isinglass accompanied the specimens of the fish ; one 

 specimen weighing about a pound taken from one of the Boise, the other 

 weighing 2 lb. and 3 J ounce, taken from the Polynemus, or Suleah, and 

 is worth from 3 to 4 shillings, the produce of a single fish. 



The Government by way of encouraging the arrangements suggested 

 by Mr. O'Reily, might instruct Mr. Blundell perhaps to receive the 

 fish sounds at 27 rupees or 30 rupees per maund, the rate at which 

 Mr. O'Reily thinks they might be collected for. In 1839-40, I collected 

 about 30 maunds from the fishermen here, at 40 rupees per maund. 

 The following year 1840-41, they rose in Calcutta to above 50 rupees, so 

 that the rate proposed by Mr. O'Reily appears to be under the value 

 of the article, but until it becomes known, and a market formed for it, 

 private persons will not enter into the trade. 



Mr. O'Reily "complains of the fish sounds spoiling during the rains, 

 and inquires how they are to be preserved. On being removed from 

 the fish, they ought to be opened and the inner fleshy membrane re- 

 moved, as well as a similar membrane from the outside. The sound 

 should then be powdered over with dry lime, and hung up in a shed 

 protected from rain, but exposed to free air. The lime will only adhere 

 as long as the substance is soft; when it hardens and dries, it will 

 fall off. Whenever the sun shines, if necessary, the sounds should be 

 removed into it for a short time. Sounds prepared in this way will keep 

 any length of time in any climate, and will fetch in this rough state 

 from Is. 4d. to Is. 7d. per lb. in the London market. If prepared in the 

 manner of fine Isinglass, (which from the cheapness of the kind of 

 labour required, may be done more profitably in India than any where 

 else,) the value of the article will be greatly enhanced ; but the exact 

 value is not yet known. 



Encouragement might be afforded to the fishermen on tbe Coast to 

 cure the fish with salt. A coarse salt, well adapted to this purpose (I 

 should think) used to be formed at Hidgelee, I am told, merely by 



