184 



On East Indian Isinglass. 



Russians would no doubt furnish Isinglass of the best quality. More 

 detailed drawing of the " Seer" and " Gol" fish shall be communicated 

 hereafter, with a drawing of the Kota as soon as one can be procured, 

 and a drawing also of the fish from which Caviare is prepared. This 

 substance is called Gubolee by the Mahrattas, and the fish from which 

 it is procured, " Soormaee." The best comes from Scinde, but unlike 

 the B'hot it is most prepared for home consumption, that is in India. 



Extract of a Letter from the same, dated Bombay, August 9, 1841. 



I had a drawing of each of the species now sent taken for you, 

 but I imagine that Dr. Brown may not have forwarded them in the 

 hurry of departure. The delay which has occurred in answering your 

 letter, has arisen from my not being able to procure the third species 

 mentioned in my note as yielding the B'kot, that called here " Kota." 

 From the fact of my not being able to procure one since I received your 

 letter I am led to conclude, that the habit of this fish is migratory, 

 though the fishermen will not distinctly admit the fact. They say, it is 

 scarce on this coast. I am assured, however, that I shall meet with it 

 this month, and if I succeed, I shall despatch a specimen by the first 

 vessel in the same manner as the last. 



With regard to the habits of Gol and Dara, the enquiry I have made 

 would lead me to conclude, that neither species is migratory. Both 

 are caught in Bombay throughout the year. It is true at some seasons 

 in greater abundance than at others, but this is said by the peo- 

 ple to depend on circumstances quite unconnected with the presence 

 or absence of the fish. About June, and again in September, the 

 number taken is small compared to the intermediate periods. At 

 these times, the fishermen change their ground. In June removing 

 their tackle, &c. from the deep sea-fishing stakes, which are fixed off the 

 west coast of the island, in the open ocean, to other stakes fixed 

 in the piece of sea to the east of the island, and situated between it and 

 the main land. Here the fishing is continued during the south-west 

 monsoon; and in September they move again outside. The fish also 

 shift their ground ; at least none are taken in the inner water during 

 the fine season. 



The information I obtained last season from the Mohanas of Scinde, 

 would lead to the same inference with regard to the stationary' habit 

 of these two species on their coast. They say, that on the coast of 

 Scinde and the eastern part of Mekran, the fish are not taken during the 

 S. W. monsoon, because the boats do not go out at that season. The 



