Production of Isinglass on the Coasts of India. 97 



we shall observe, in comparing the two processes, that much greater 

 care is bestowed on the preparation in Russia than in India. 



These objections made to the Indian Isinglass in the London 

 Market, and known to many, are embodied in the following letter 

 from experienced Brokers, to whom the author submitted samples of 

 this Isinglass. 



TO DR. ROYLE. 



Sir, — The three samples of Isinglass are of a quality not unknown 

 to us as from the East Indies, and have hitherto been received in the 

 whole or entire sheet state, and not cut. In consequence of the 

 article not having had sufficient care bestowed upon it before being 

 subjected to the process of drying, so as to remove the unpleasant 

 fishy smell, it is impossible to bring it into use here for culinary pur- 

 poses, and thereby supersede the Astrachan sorts now in use, and 

 selling at 10s. to 12s. per ife. The East Indian will be only available 

 for brewer's use, and then it must be sweeter and of better flavour than 

 the present samples. The Brazil is the description taken by brewers, 

 and is worth 2s. 6d to 3s. 6d. per lb., but is quite free from 

 the objectionable smell, as is also the Samovy, which is of nearly the 

 same value, and applied to similar purposes. 



We sold a parcel of East Indian in sheet at public sale in Novem- 

 ber 1840, at 2s. 6d. per lb. in bond, but we think that 3s. 6d. is nearer 

 the price it would now bring. 



Thomas Merry and Son. 



15, Laurence Pountney Hill, 

 26th August, 1841. 



P. S. One of the cut samples has been bleached, but is of no more 

 value than the unbleached one. 



Mr. Emley, also an experienced Broker, in examining the speci- 

 mens found some which he considered very well prepared, though 

 the majority were too thick and whitish coloured, instead of being 

 colourless and transparent ; Mr. Rogers's specimens he compared to 

 the Cake Brazilian. 



Mr. McClelland, in sending this Isinglass, writes, that in Calcutta 

 it was found to correspond precisely with the Russian Isinglass in 



o 



