100 Production of Isinglass on the Coasts of India. 



important objection is the smell, which, however, may likewise, to 

 some extent, be traced to the preparation. When the inferior pieces 

 of this Isinglass are boiled in water, the surface of the fluid soon 

 becomes covered with a very thin film of oily matter, and the dis- 

 agreeable fishy odour is then very strong ; when, however, the 

 boiling or simmering has continued for some little time, the surface 

 becomes clearer, and the odour gradually diminishes ; so that by 

 boiling for some time, good and strong jellies may be easily made, 

 having little, if any, more smell than those made with ordinary 

 Russian Isinglass. Great care should be taken that the Isinglass is 

 as little as possible contaminated with the animal fluids of the fish, 

 because when this is the case it is very difficult completely to purify 

 it by subsequent washing, and a little attention to such points as 

 these would greatly improve the value of the produce. It would be 

 easy to suggest plans for the removal of the bad odour of the Isin- 

 glass, but it would be far better if it can possibly be prevented by 

 increased care in the preparation and curing. 



E. SOLLY, Jun. 

 Lecturer on Chemistry at the Royal Institution. 



From the foregoing analysis and observations, it is evident that 

 the Bengal possesses all the essential qualities of good Isinglass ; 

 and that with a little more care, and some modification in the pro- 

 cess of preparation, it is probable that the smell might be got rid 

 of, as well as a considerable portion of the albuminous parts. How 

 these very desirable objects may be best carried into effect, will 

 appear when we can compare the mode of preparing Isinglass in 

 India, with that which has been so long and so successfully practised 

 in Russia. 



Mr. McClelland, in the manuscript which accompanied his speci- 

 mens, states, that the " Sounds when received fresh, are opened and 

 stripped of the vascular covering and internal membrane, washed, j 

 and at once made up into any form the manufacturer finds most con- j 

 venient for packing. The article requires no further preparation I 

 than this : — 



" When dry, before it reaches the manufacturer, (which is com- 

 monly the case, the fish being caught at a distance, towards the sea,) j , 



