INDIAN FISH AND FISHING. 3 



decompose more quickly than others ; and the same result 

 follows close packing, or want of protection from the full 

 force of the sun's rays. Usually, fish are not landed until 

 after sunrise, while those brought on shore of an evening are 

 generally kept where they are until the next morning, 

 coolies being averse to travelling after dark. On the other 

 hand, facilities of carriage may exist, as railways, water 

 communications passing inland, or arrangements made for 

 this purpose. As a general rule, inland places having no 

 special facilities for carriage do not receive uncured sea fish 

 in a wholesome condition upwards of ten miles from the 

 beach where they were landed. Should, however, the fish 

 be first opened and cleaned, some salt rubbed in, and care 

 taken in their conveyance (as warding off the sun's rays), 

 they may be carried considerably further. But salt being 

 very expensive is very seldom employed for this purpose, or 

 else a very slight amount is used, and putrefaction has often 

 set in prior to the fish being disposed of for human food. 

 While ice is only prepared or stored at large centres of 

 population, and at such localities a ready market exists for 

 all the fisherman's captures. 



What varieties of dried fish exist in India ? In many 

 places along the shores of British India, especially where 

 the salt-tax is rigorously enforced, it is usual for the purpose 

 of laying in a store for future supply or for inland trade, 

 simply to dry fish in the sun. This can be done with 

 smaller and thinner forms, as Ambassis, Equula, the Bombay 

 duck (Harpodon neherens) y many of the herrings and small 

 varieties or immature forms, but not so well with the larger 

 fish ; however, even from these last, slices may be cut and 

 sun-dried. In some localities small fish are first buried in 

 the sea-sand, in order to obtain a little saline substance, and 

 subsequently sun-dried. In damp weather such articles 



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