INDIAN CYPRINID.E. 463 



life, is eminently calculated to direct attention to other uses of the species 

 affording it. 



This is one of the largest and finest fishes, both as regards flavour and 

 wholesomeness, on our coasts or in our rivers, while the season at which it 

 is taken is the one most favourable for a residence in boats or ships in the 

 Sunderbuns. Under these circumstances it is not likely that the subject of 

 sea fisheries in this quarter will be altogether overlooked, longer than the cir- 

 cumstances on which their success must depend shall have been properly ex- 

 amined. 



All sea fisheries are practised on migratory species, which advance annu- 

 ally at stated periods in search of food and proper situations to deposit their 

 spawn. Their progress is so regulated, that at certain seasons they approach 

 the different coasts, in their course, with so much regularity as to enable the 

 people to repose as much confidence and hope in their coming and departure 

 as they usually place in the ripening of their crops. The shoals of fishes are 

 so dense as to cover the sea for leagues without interruption, and extend to 

 a solid depth of many fathoms in some instances, so that they are taken as 

 quickly as it is possible to salt and barrel them. The season lasts from a 

 month to six weeks, when thousands of ships are laden with cargoes which 

 are to serve as the common stock of food for many of the surrounding nations 

 for twelve months, when the fishing is recommenced. 



Such are the fisheries on the banks of Newfoundland, on the coasts of 

 Norway, Sweden, and Great Britain ; and unless the coasts of India afford 

 promise of resources of similar extent and importance, the object would hardly 

 require much public attention. If, however, it be found that we have species 

 on our coasts equal in every respect to that which is the object of enterprise 

 at Newfoundland, and that these advance into the Sunderbuns at a season 

 when ships and men without number may be employed with safety, there can 

 be nothing to prevent the national importance of the circumstance. 



In this instance, as well as in that of the propagation of fresh-water spe- 



