FOOD PRODUCTS OF THE SEA — FISHES. 311 



roes of the mullet are made into the botargo of com- 

 merce. 



Senegal, and the sea which waters its coasts, abounds 

 in fish. The negroes take great quantities, which sup- 

 port the population, and a considerable quantity, sun- 

 dried, is carried into the interior. 



Fish abound also in the archipelago of the Canary 

 Islands, and the inhabitants derive much of their food 

 from the fish, while large quantities salted are exported. 



Teneriffe has important fisheries. Cod, sardines, her- 

 rings, and tunny are caught. 



The number of fishing establishments which cover the 

 River Gaboon, evidence the occupation of the natives. 

 They load their pirogues with dried fish, which they sell 

 on the upper part of the lagoon, exchanging it for palm 

 oil. As a rule, it may be said of the Tropics that fresh fish 

 to be enjoyed, must be consumed on the day of the catch. 



The population of the Gold Coast colony, with Lagos, 

 is estimated in round numbers at 400,000, and as these 

 live chiefly on fish, some conception can be formed of the 

 considerable catch there must be annually to supply such 

 a mass. The curing shrimps and herrings forms a large 

 industry, and represents a considerable trade within the 

 colony and beyond its border. The people sufier much 

 from cutaneous diseases and ulcerations, which are attri- 

 buted to the bad condition of the fish diet on which 

 they, as a rule, have to depend. 



Indian Seas. — The seas which surround the island of 

 Ceylon contain an enormous quantity and variety of 

 fish ; hardly any place in the world has been so richly 

 endowed in this respect by nature. 



The Maldive islands, under the protection of Ceylon, 

 maintain a large fishing industry, and yield considerable 

 exports. In 1882 they exported to Ceylon 1,600 tons 

 of dried and salted fish, worth £27,000. India also sent 

 to Ceylon 2,800 tons of salt fish, worth £47,000. This 

 salt fish is used all over Ceylon, as a relish with curries, 

 by the natives. Fresh fish also finds a ready market on 

 the sea coast, but the want of means of quick transport 



