92 Production of Isinglass on the Coasts of India. 



is interesting and important, as it is probable, as before stated, that a 

 Silurus yields a Brazilian Isinglass ; and, Silurus Glanis, in the South 

 of Russia, and of several kinds as, firsts, seconds, book, &c., one 

 of which is esteemed in England, it might, therefore, be produced of 

 as good quality by the Indian species of Silurus. 



The first sample received at the India House was sent to the author 

 by Mr. Cantor, of the house of Cantor and Co., of Calcutta, with a 

 note, dated 30th October, 1840, stating that it was a specimen of a 

 consignment sent by his house in Calcutta.* 



The next samples were forwarded by Mr. Rogers to Mr. Melville, 

 the Secretary of the East India Company, for the Court of Directors, 

 with a note stating that they were curious as being the first impor- 

 tations of Isinglass from India. No. 1, was valued at 4s., and No. 

 2.t at Is. 8d. per lb., also that the importation from Bengal was ex- 

 pected to exceed fifty tons during the year. 



This note was accompanied by a memorandum from Mr. G. Rem- 

 frey, stating that No. 1.} was Isinglass simply taken out of the 

 fish and dried by exposure to the sun ; and that No. 2. was the same 

 substance partially prepared, by being cut open, the interior mem- 

 branes taken out, washed with cold water, and beat on a piece of 

 wood; by which means it is flattened, extended, and loses weight. 

 He further states, that another description of Isinglass is common at 

 Calcutta. This is prepared by the natives to imitate, and is sold for 

 local consumption for one-fourth of the price of European Isinglass. 

 They take the above Isinglass, when in its freshest state, and pull it 

 into shreds with their fingers, then dry it in the sun, and mix with it 

 a small portions of chunam (powdered lime) to preserve it from insects, 

 damp, &c. 



Mr. Remfrey also adverts to the fact, that while Europeans were 

 unacquainted with the existence of this trade, the Chinese had from 



specimen for which we were indebted to Mr. E. O'Reily and Mr. Blundell. 

 Both the Tenasserim and the Bombay specimens, were too much decayed to 

 allow of a sufficiently accurate examination, but the species is probably unde- 

 scribed. — Ed. 



* On the part of a constituent.— Ed. 



t t These numbers do not eem to refer to the same specimens 



