IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND THE EASTERN SEAS. 273 



the shark is also used with the livers of the other fish, the oil so ob- 

 tained has a very offensive odour and unpleasant taste, which cannot by 

 any mechanical or chemical process be removed, however carefully it 

 may be prepared. 



At Moutrah, a town situated in a deep bay not far from Muscat, 

 they dry and export large quantities of a diminutive fish, about tw r o 

 inches long, which are packed in bales. This species of fish literally 

 fills the waters of Oman. Dr. Ruschenberger (' Voyage Round the World,' 

 vul. i., p. 121), says, — " They sometimes appeared in dense strata about 

 the ship, so thick as completely to hide the cable from view, which was 

 distinctly seen when they were not present." 



The Lates nobiiis, different species of Polynemus and the Magil 

 Corsida, daily cover the tables of Europeans in Calcutta, who will more 

 readily recognise these fishes under the names of the Begti or Cockup, 

 Sudjeh, Tupsi (Mango fish), and the Indian mullet. The mango fish is 

 so named from its visiting the Indian rivers annually to spawn, during 

 the mango season. It arrives as soon as the mango is formed on the 

 tree, and disappears at the close of the season, or about the middle of 

 July. This fish has, perhaps, the most agreeable flavour of any in the 

 world, and is so much sought after by natives as well as Europeans, 

 that although not so large as a middling-sized whiting, they are 

 sold at the beginning of April, at from 2 to 4 rupees (4s. to 8s.) 

 per score. Before the end of May, as they become plentiful, they are 

 sold at 2s. per score, and later from two to three score may be had for 

 a rupee. 



Hilsa or sabti, the Indian mackerel, makes its appearance in July. 

 The fish is delicious either boiled, baked, or fried, but it is generally 

 considered very unwholesome. The natives devour it in such quantities 

 as to occasion great mortality among them. The fish, on being cured 

 with tamarinds, forms a good substitute for herrings. It is then known 

 by tHe appellation of the tamarind fish. 



Burtah, the salted and spiced flesh of the suleah fish, is a piquant 

 relish well known at the breakfast-tables of Bengal ; other delicious fishe3 

 are the Indian soles, the roll fish, and above all, the black and white pom- 

 frets, and the Bummaloh, which latter in a dried state, is known by the 

 name of the " Bombay duck." The bazaars in Calcutta are always 

 stocked with an ample supply of dried fish, which is consumed partly by 

 the Europeans and native shipping of that port, partly by the poorer 

 classes of Bengal and the Upper Provinces. Cargoes of this article are 

 annually imported by the Burmese and Arabs. 



In the Maldive Islands the bonita is thus prepared : — The back bone 

 is removed, and the fish laid in the shade, and occasionally sprinkled 

 with sea water. After a certain period has elapsed, the fish is wrapped 

 up in cocoa-nut leaves and buried in sand, when it becomes hard. Fish 

 thus prepared is known in Ceylon, and perhaps over all India by the 

 of cummelmums. The pieces of this fish brought to the market 



VOL. IV. Z 



