On East Indian Isinglass. 



167 



tion, which should be done by carefully cleaning the blad- 

 ders as soon as they are taken out of the fishes, scraping 

 off all fat and fleshy or skinny particles, and to get off 

 entirely the thin skin in the inside of the bladders, wash 

 them carefully in fresh water, and then dry them in 

 the sun. 



" When the process is complete, they will be of one uni- 

 form colour, clear, and transparent, and free from all fishy 

 smell, and if they arrive in this state, they will probably sell 

 for as much as 5s. per lb., but we think you may safely calcu- 

 late upon getting Ss. 6d. for any quantity up to 50 or 60 tons 

 in the course of the year. If, however, they are very suc- 

 cessful in bleaching, a larger quantity may be sent. It is 

 stated to be a description of glass only suited to brewers, 

 who take Brazil Isinglass chiefly for their use, which is now 

 worth 2s. to Ss. 6d. per lb. This glass leaves a large resi- 

 dium when melted, unless mixed with an acid which renders 

 it of no value, except for brewers, otherwise it would com- 

 mand a higher value." — Letter of Messrs. J. Cock burn 

 and Co. 



We have now to notice how the operations thus com- 

 menced have been followed up. In the months of August 

 and September, the fishermen represented the necessity of 

 making advances to them before November, the season 

 when Sulea fishing commences, in order that they might be 

 enabled to make preparation for taking the largest possible 

 quantity of fish. Their representations appeared perfectly 

 fair and reasonable, and we conceived it to be highly desir- 

 able to know what quantity of fish could be procured under 

 the arrangements they proposed. 



The results of the sale of the last investment were how- 

 ever still unknown, so that advances could not be made with 

 safety to the extent that was necessary ; some seven or eight 

 hundred rupees were, however, given out in small sums for 

 the construction of nets, boats, &c. to some forty or fifty 



