On East Indian Isinglass. 



165 



We are of opinion, that small gunny, or coarse canvass 

 bags would be the safest and best package, but on this sub- 

 ject experience will be the best guide. Doctor Royle has 

 omitted to point out how the Russian Isinglass is packed, 

 and to consult the brokers on the best methods of packing 

 the Indian article. The great fault complained of was the 

 smell, a fault which it must have acquired after it was pack- 

 ed, and had left our hands, and which the lapse of time 

 during the voyage could not account for. In March 1840, 

 we had about 15 or 20 seers of the article left, which was 

 not enough to make an uniform package. It was therefore 

 allowed to lie, during the ensuing rains, neglected in a damp 

 cellar until the November following, when the complaints 

 of the brokers arrived regarding the smell of the despatch 

 sent home for sale. 



But so far was this neglected sample from having con- 

 tracted any bad smell, that it had on the contrary lost every 

 trace of that which it originally possessed, a fact to which we 

 cannot attach too much importance. The greater size of the 

 packages, and their closeness from having been soldered, 

 and exposure to sun in this state during shipment, or to wet 

 on board ship, or to rain in England, are the only causes to 

 which we can ascribe the smell complained of in the invest- 

 ment sent home ; but we are perfectly satisfied that the 

 fishy smell of Isinglass may be altogether removed by con- 

 tinued exposure to the air ; this may be as well effected in 

 Europe after removal from the original packages as in India. 

 But if this be considered an injury to the article in the 

 European market, it will only be necessary for those who 

 are engaged in its preparation in India, to adopt more pre- 

 caution for its perfect removal, by care in cleaning in the 

 first instance, and subsequent airing before packing, as well 

 as by attention to the description of package. 



The arrangements for future operations in this article 

 were shaped according to the advices received from Messrs. 



