88 Production of Isinglass on the Coasts of India. 



but has a singular natatory bladder. When twelve or fifteen inches 

 long, it is erroneously called whiting at Calcutta, and furnishes a light 

 and salubrious diet. It is caught in great abundance at the mouths 

 of the Ganges, but never ascends higher than the tide. 



In New England, the intestines of the common Cod (Morrhua 

 vulgaris) are cut into ribbon Isinglass : in Iceland also the Cod is 

 said to yield Isinglass, so also the Ling (Lota Molva). Mr. Yarrell 

 informs me that he has no reason to believe that Isinglass is so pre- 

 pared, at least in the southern parts of this country; the fish being 

 brought alive in well-boats as far as possible. Cod sounds as used in 

 this country, are mostly preserved soft by salting, and are dressed 

 for table as a substitute for fish. 



Hence we see that Isinglass is not confined to the rivers of Rus- 

 sia, nor to the tribe of Sturgeons, but that it is found in fishes on the 

 warm coast of Brazil and the cold one of Iceland. It would not, 

 therefore, be surprising to find it yielded by some of the great va- 

 riety and shoals of fishes, on the long extended coasts of the British 

 Empire in India. Some experimental quantities have, in fact, al- 

 ready been imported from Bengal into this country within the last 

 year. Indeed, from the accounts published, and the additional facts 

 which will be adduced, it will appear that a trade in Isinglass, and 

 in some of its substitutes, has long been established on the coasts of 

 India. 



The first who appears to have drawn attention to this subject, was 

 an anonymous correspondent in Parbury's Oriental Herald in Janu- 

 ary, 1839, who stated, that the Chinese had long been engaged in a 

 trade with Calcutta in Isinglass. Also, that this was afforded by a 

 fish called sulleah in Bengal, and that from half a pound to three- 

 quarters of a pound was obtained from each fish. 



In consequence of this notice, the attention of Mr. McClelland, 

 of the Bengal Medical Service, was turned to the subject, and he 

 has pursued it with a degree of energy and intelligence, which 

 renders it extremely probable, that Isinglass may be regularly esta- 

 blished as an article of export from Bengal to Europe. 



Mr. McClelland's first paper was published at Calcutta in June, 

 1839, in the Journal of the Asiatic Society, vol. viii. p. 203. In this 

 he informs us, that having procured a specimen from the bazar, 



