THE ZOOLOGY OF SINGAPORE. 
597 
FISH. 
The market is abundantly supplied with fish both in a fresh 
and salted state, which forms the chief food of all classes of the 
native population. The two sorts most plentiful are the Xkan 
Parang Parang, and Ikan Tingiri. The former is a dry fish well 
adapted for salting but so full of minute bones as to render the 
attempt to out it in a fresh state, a service of no inconsiderable 
danger. The Tingiri which grows to the weight of 15 lbs is one 
very frequently met with at the tables of Europeans, it is one of 
our best fish for boiling, and only second in this respect to the 
Kurow, which I think may safely be pronounced the first dinner 
fish in the Straits. It grows to a much larger size than the Tin¬ 
giri, the pamphlet Ikan Bawal (Malay) and the sole, Ikan Li- 
dah (Malay) are without competitors for frying, but care must be 
taken to obtain the true sole, and not the flounders so commonly 
substituted ; the mullet and red fish, Ikan Merab, (Malay) are not 
to be despised; there is another small fish, something like the sardine 
called Ikan Susu, a general favorite for the breakfast table; besides 
these abundance of coarser kinds are procurable, sharks, rays, and 
many other genera with which I am unacquainted. The following 
is a list of the Malayan names of such as I have myself seen and 
may be useful as a guide to the future enquirer, the prefix ikan is 
understood before them all, that being according to the Malay 
mode of expression. 
Balana, Balankas, Buntal, Baji, Bayan, Bulu Ayam, Bawal 
Tambah, Bawal Putih, Bawal Cheremin, Bawal Itam, Balacha, 
Bawal Lender, Bleah Mata, Kokub, Cheremin, Chinchairu, Chin- 
choda, Duri, Galamah, Grapu, Gimes, Jiimpoi, Karong Kikay, 
Kadrali, Kabasi, Ladah, Loban, Lombah Lombah, Mindiabu, Nheo 
Nlieo, Pari, Picha Priu, Punting Daxna, Pouh, Samlang, Sablah, 
Salikor, Salangat, Sambilang Parang, Todah, Tamban, Troboh, 
Tumray, Talang, Iu. Abundance of crabs and prawns of different spe¬ 
cies, two species of Octopus, Nuas, and Suntong, (Malay,') and I 
ought not to forget that singular animal the Halicora Dugong, or 
Duyong (Malay); it is very seldom to be met with in Singapore, I 
have only seen one specimen in many years residence, but they are 
plentiful up the Johore river 5 the natives are fond of the flesh which 
they cut up into stripes and dry in the sun the usual Malay mode 
of curing meat, which they call when so prepared “Bending;’’ 
they capture the animal occasionally in their fishing stakes, but 
most commonly spear it, at which they are remarkably expert. 
[1843] ‘ T. Oxley* 
