1 849 .] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. 1 287 



between the pectorals and the anal. The caudal is deeply cleft ; the 

 length of each lobe equals that of the head. In the Straits of Malacca 

 as in the mouths of the Ganges, this species is astoundingly numerous 

 at all seasons. Two to three inches is the usual length, five to six are 

 very rarely seen. In fine weather swarms may be seen swimming near 

 the water's edge, and making very short leaps closely above the surface 

 of the sea. As Russell observes, they are highly valued for their deli- 

 cate flavour when fried. In Java, Sumatra and the Straits of Malacca, 

 large quantities are preserved both for home consumption and exporta- 

 tion to China and India. The delicious condiment is famed under 

 the denomination of " Red-fish" (Ikan merah of the Malays,) or 

 11 Malacca-fishy" and is used as a relish. The following mode of pre- 

 paration, as practised at Bencoolen and Malacca, has been communicated 

 by W. T. Lewis, Esq. Asst. Res. Counsellor, Pinang. After the heads 

 have been removed, the fishes (those of middling size are preferred), 

 are cleansed, salted (in the proportion of one to eight parts of fish), 

 and deposited in flat glazed earthen vessels. In the latter they are for 

 three days submitted to pressure by means of stones placed on thin 

 boards or dried plantain leaves. The fishes are next freed from salt 

 and saturated with vinegar of Cocoa Palm toddy, after which are added 

 powdered ginger and black pepper (the latter mostly entire), and some 

 brandy and powdered " Red rice." After having been kept for three 

 days, a little more vinegar is added before placing the fishes in well closed 

 jars or bottles. They should be kept four or five months before being 

 used. The expense of a quart bottle of the condiment is about 30 

 Cents, the selling price one Spanish Dollar. " Red rice" is the variety 

 of Orysa saliva called glutinosa (pulut, or bras sepulut of the Malays) 

 steeped in an infusion of Cochineal. In the Straits Settlements 

 red rice is imported from China, and sells at the rate of 10 Cents of a 

 Dollar per ft. The Chinese settlers in the Straits prepare a similar 

 red condiment with slices of Polyuemus indicus and P. tetradactylus 

 and also prawns. 



8 c 



