Production of Isinglass on the Coasts of India. 113 



part of the Bay of Bengal, and those of the Gangetic estuaries. He 

 observes, that by reference to the ichthyological works of Dr. Russell, 

 Dr. Buchanan, Baron Cuvier, and Mr. Bennet, describing the Fishes 

 from different Indian localities, he found that at least one-third, perhaps 

 one-half, out of upwards of a hundered species, which he examined 

 ' between Calcutta and the 21° of N. latitude, were not noticed by the 

 above authors. The fact is, as he states, he observed many species, 

 inhabiting a more southern latitude, which were brought up towards 

 the mouths of the Ganges, by the strong flood- tides prevailing dur- 

 ing full moon, while others only temporarily enter the rivers during 

 the spawning season. 



The Polynemus Shalliah or Saccolih, has already been mentioned 

 as entering the mouths of the Ganges in shoals. The Kharrah, or 

 Indian Mackerel, a species of Thynnus, is rather uncommon in these 

 estuaries, but it must be found in abundance on the Burmese coast, 

 as from thence, great numbers in a dried state, are annually imported 

 into Bengal. The Cartilaginous fishes, Dr. C. states, abound in 

 numbers and species, and are remarkable for their wide geogra- 

 phical distribution. The sharks enter the rivers to a considerable 

 distance from the sea. Shark- skin, he says, is used by the native 

 workmen for polishing wood and ivory ; and Shark-fins we have seen 

 are largely exported to China. 



Of the better known salt-water fishes of a wider geographical 

 distribution, such, for instance, as are valued as articles of food, at 

 the three distant points, Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, the market 

 of the first is the least rich in varieties, in consequence of its greater 

 distance from the sea. The abundance of the supply, however, 

 makes up for what it wants in variety ; and the great demand for 

 fish affords a livelihood to great numbers of fishermen, who every 

 night spread their nets in the river, and in the salt-water lake. 



The Lates nobilis, different species of Polynemus, and the Mugil 

 Corsula daily cover the tables of Europeans, who will more readily 

 recognise these fishes under the names of the Begti or Cockup, 

 Sudjeh, Tupsi (Mango fish), and the Indian Mullet. At the Sand- 

 heads, may be found some of those delicious fishes which are more 

 familiar to the residents of Madras and Bombay; for instance, the 

 Indian Soles, the Roll-fish, and, above all the Black and White 



Q 



