90 Production of Isinglass on the Coasts of India. 



called king-fish, and is the Kala mine of John from Tranquebar, and 

 abundant in the Kistnah and Godavery. Buchanan further states, 

 that the Sele has a strong resemblance to the above named maga- 

 booshee of Dr. Russell. 



As the anonymous author above referred to, states, that from half a 

 pound to three-quarters of a pound may be obtained from each fish ; 

 Mr. McClelland supposes either that P. Sele attains a much larger 

 size than twenty-four pounds, the limit given to it by Buchanan, or 

 that Isinglass is also afforded by a far larger species, namely P. 

 tetradactylus, Terea, or teria bhangan. This, as we have seen, is 

 identical with the maga-jellee of the Coromandel Coast, and which 

 Buchanan often saw six feet long in the Calcutta bazar, and was in- 

 formed it sometimes equalled 320 pounds avoirdupois in weight. It 

 is considered by the natives as a wholesome diet, although seldom 

 used by Europeans. 



Mr. McClelland says, he has frequently seen them of a uniform 

 size, that must have weighed from fifty to a hundred pounds at least, 

 loading whole cavalcades of hackeries (carts) on their way to the 

 Calcutta bazar during the cold season. Both the Sele and the teria 

 bhangan must consequently be very common there from November to 

 March. 



Whether both species have natatory bladders was doubtful when 

 Mr. M. wrote his paper.* But from the large quantities and size 

 of the Isinglass which has been produced in the Bay of Bengal, it is 

 probable that it is yielded by both the above species. P. Sele 

 is supposed to be a variety of P. lineatus, which is said to be com- 

 mon on all the shores to the eastward ; but if so, Mr. M. says, it 

 seems strange that the Chinese should send for it to the Hoogly. 

 The same might, however, be said of the Cod, which, though caught 

 in abundance on the coasts of Great Britain, is also diligently sought 

 for on the banks of Newfoundland. He also inquires whether 



Bengalese, and which is well known all round the coasts of India by various local 

 names. — Ed. 



* We have since ascertained that of the various species of Polynemus, the 

 Suleah alone affords Isinglass, as well as the principal supplies of the article 

 known in commerce as Cod Sounds, or Fish Maws,— Ed. 



I 



