2 54 ^^^^ Com7nercial Pi^odttcts of the Sea. 



in China in another manner. There we meet in commerce 

 with plates of a horny appearance, whitish, and of a tissue 

 resembling animal membrane. These plates are of dif- 

 ferent forms, and bear in China the name of jtt-ka. This 

 substance, dissolved in water, forms a glue of an excellent 

 quality, which is specially employed by cabinet-makers, 

 furniture being an industry for which Ningpo is justly 

 renowned. This glue has properties much resembling 

 gelatine. Like gelatine, it is very nitrogenous, furnishing 

 by distillation ammoniacal compounds and a bulky char- 

 coal. This, incinerated, gives a whitish ash, composed 

 probably of phosphate of lime. 



In an industrial point of view it differs from isinglass 

 by furnishing a glue of very considerable resistance. That 

 of the best quality is reserved for the manufacture of 

 furniture of the highest class, and is employed to unite 

 pieces of wood which are required to resist great strain. 

 Besides its industrial uses, this fish-glue is highly esteemed 

 for food purposes by the Chinese. 



The three kinds of fish chiefly used for obtaining 

 isinglass in China are : — i. The My-yu {ScicBiia liLcida), 

 having greyish scales ; 2. Ta-houang-yu {OtolitJms macu- 

 latiis), the head, fins, etc., of which are of a bright yellow ; 

 3. Mung-pu {Anginlla {Mtircena) pekinensis, Basilewski). 

 To obtain the swimming-bladder the gills are removed, 

 and by introducing the finger into the interior the air- 

 bladder is obtained. The intestinal and membranous parts 

 which surround this organ are separated, and with a knife 

 it is split longitudinally ; the two lips are lifted, and a 

 whitish membrane, which is found on each side, is taken 

 out. In this state it is sold for food purposes. It is boiled 

 a certain time in water, but does not dissolve, forming only 

 a gelatinous mass of an insipid flavour. With the third- 



