On East Indian Isinglass. 



185 



Bar a, however, which pushes into the Indus, is caught even during that 

 season in the estuaries of the river. 



With regard to the abundance of both the kinds in question on this 

 coast, I have been repeatedly assured, that at some seasons during the 

 springs, the bazars of Bombay and neighbouring ports along the coast 

 are literally glutted. This I have observed myself frequently. Vast 

 quantities are consumed by all classes of natives in the fresh state, and 

 likewise salted. In the latter state it is sent into the interior, but 

 by far the largest quantity is consumed by the sea-faring population of 

 this part, both those navigating the small craft, as well as the large. It 

 forms w r ith them their stock of salt provisions. In this point of view, 

 both these fish are extremely important, and the trade in the other pro- 

 duction of the same species (the B'hot) must be of secondary value to 

 it. I will not trouble you with further details on this subject at 

 present, but enclose an original memorandum of the ports from which 

 the bladders of the three species yielding this substance are imported.* 

 It will give you an idea of the quantity that must be produced, as well 

 as the space over which the species are met with. The fish dried and 

 salted, are imported from the same places. 



I shall in the ensuing fine season induce one of the people engaged 

 in the preparation of B'hot to prepare some by the method you 

 communicated, and inform you of the result, f 



Hereafter I hope to be able to furnish you with a list of all the 

 fish to be found in this bazar at different seasons, with drawings of 

 some, or all of them if possible. Also an account of those which the 

 fishermen here admit to be migratory, such as the famous Pulla, which 

 is caught in the Indus at certain seasons, and which is known also 

 here, and another fish of small size, (the name I have forgotten,) but 

 which is valuable as yielding a fish-oil much used on this, and the 

 Malabar coast. 



The Remarks of Baron Cuvier and M. Valenciennes, on Polynemus pie- 

 beius, Brouss. ; Polynemus Lineatus, Lacep. ; Polynemus Sele, Buch. ; 

 from the Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. 



Our first species with five filaments appears to be the Polynemus 

 plebeius, of which Broussonnet has published a very exact detailed des- 



* See note page 175. 



t We regret to find that Dr. Heddle soon after this was written, was obliged to leave Bom- 

 bay for the benefit of his health, which however became worse, and death deprived us of an 

 intelligent and obliging correspondent at Bombay, and the public of an excellent ser- 

 vant.— Ed. 



