1849.] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. iii 



3. Isinglass, Fish-Maws, {Palongpong ikan or art ari ikan of 

 the Malays, loo-pa of the Chinese) appear to have formed an article of 

 exportation from the islands of the Indian Archipelago as early as 

 they became visited by the Chinese. When these people commenced 

 to settle in the Straits, they not only there collected fish-maws, but 

 also from distant localities. Bombay, Ceylon, Madras, Bengal, Tenas- 

 serim, and most of the Malayan Islands contribute to the annual 

 supply, which is bought up by Chinese dealers at Pinang, Malacca and 

 Singapore. By them the maws are exported to China. The fact was 

 noted by Mr. Crawfurd, but that the fish-maws are isinglass, appears 

 to be the discovery of an anonymous correspondent in Parbury's 

 Oriental Herald for January 1839. The personal exertions of Mr. 

 McClelland have been mainly instrumental in adding isinglass to the 

 articles of exportation from India to the European markets. 



Since 1842, Mr. W. T. Lewis, Asst. Resid. Counsellor of Pinang, 

 has made some very successful attempts to improve the production of 

 isinglass in Prince of Wales Island. But European merchants there 

 appear unwilling to engage in this novel branch of commerce, as the 

 supply from want of proper care is uncertain, and procurable but in 

 comparatively small quantities. These, however, are no objections to 

 the Chinese dealers, as they are sure of a profitable and quick return 

 of their outlay. The fishes from which isinglass is obtained at Pinang 

 are : 



Lates heptadactylus, {Ikan siyakup,) page 983. 



Polynemus indicus, {Ikan kurow,) p. 1011. 



Otolithus biaurituSy {Ikan salampai,) p. 1039. 



Otolithus ruber , {Jarang gigi,) p. 1041. 



Otolithus argenteus, {Jarang gigi,) p. 1043. 



Otolithus maculatus, {Jarang gigi,) p. 1044. 



Johnius diacanthusy {Ikan tambareh,) p. 1049. 



Lobotes erate, {Ikan bdtu,) p. 1062. 



Arius truncatuSy {Ikan saludu,) p. 1238. 



Arius arius, {Ikan saludu,) p. ] 240. 



Arius militarisy {Ikan saludu,) p. 1241. 



The annexed Table, exhibiting the quantity of isinglass imported 

 into and exported during 10 years from Pinang to China, has been 

 communicated by Mr. W. T. Lewis. 



