I 



42 Memarhs on a Lake in the District of Bassein. [No. | 



day, until it is brought opposite the village marked C on the sketch ; a 

 fixed " weir" of bamboo is then made across the lake to form the one 

 side of the enclosure into which the fish are driven ; the ponderous 

 mass of framework is now taken to pieces and reconstructed across 

 the water at the point B, from whence it is dragged to the weir last 

 fixed at the village, and the ends gradually contracted until they form 

 an oblong space within which the fish are enclosed. 



"When the length of the weirs and of the moving drag frame 

 is considered (about 900 yards,) and the depth of from 12 to 30 ft. 

 of the latter, together with the excessive labour in moving so large 

 a body in one mass, it will be a matter of surprise to learn that the 

 sum of 3000 Eupees is annually paid by the Een Thoogyee or Chief 

 of the Lake for the privilege of monopoly of its waters, but as no 

 Burman can be brought to appreciate the value of his own labour 

 when employed in his own work, this essential charge, (which would 

 swallow up the entire profits of the speculator were he necessitated 

 to hire such labour), forms no item of the estimate, and each man 

 employed counts as gain all the fish which come to his share after 

 paying any substantial expense he may have incurred during the period 

 of working. 



The taking of the fish from the enclosure into which they are 

 ultimately driven is deferred until the full moon of June, by which 

 time the first showers of the monsoon have reduced the temperature 

 of the water, and the fish are then less subject to die than would 

 be the case with the full blaze of the sun, unmitigated by the rain, 

 striking upon the crowded mass ; with this precaution, however, a 

 large number of fish die before the whole has been cleared, and the 

 stench of their corruption taints the air for miles around. 



Being unable to stay to witness the final process of catching and 

 disposing of the fish, I am dependant upon the Chief of the Lake 

 for the following description, and as his interests are affected in de- 

 preciating the amount of outturn, the quantities stated may be con- 

 sidered as within the actual. 



On the near approach of the drag-net to the space forming the 

 enclosure, the fish are observed to be in great commotion, rushing m 

 all directions and attempting to force their way through ; finding the 

 net too strong, many of the larger kind attempt to leap over the 

 barrier, which they effect, only, however, to fall into nets spread to catch 



