of animation. Some of the fish is occasionally as
much as two feet in length, and from seven to
eight inches in circumference. The length of a
span, and the girth of from two to three inches,
however, is the ordinary size. The quality or value
of the fish, however, does by no means depend
upon its size, but upon properties in them, neither
obvious to, nor discernible by, those who have not
had a long and intimate experience of the trade. The
Chinese merchants are almost the only persons who
possess this skill, even the native fishermen themselves
being often ignorant on the subject, and always
leaving the cargo to be assorted by the Chinese
on their return to port. The commercial
classification made by the Chinese is curious and
particular. In the market of Macassar the greatest
staple of this fishery, not less than thirty varieties
are distinguished, varying in price from five
Spanish dollars per picul to fourteen times that
price, each being particularized by well known
names. To satisfy curiosity I shall give a few of
them, with their ordinary prices.
costs 68 Spanish dollars.
54
22
u - 14
30
M
Tacheritang
Batu-basar
Batu-tangah
Batu-kâchil
Itam-basar
Itam-tangah
Itam-kachil 8 Spanish dollars.
Tundang 24
Kunyit 9
Donga 7
Japon 12
Mosi 9
Kawasa 5
Pachang-goreng 5
Gama Taikongkong m
Mareje (New Holland) 19
Kayu-jawa 26
Bankuli 20
It is evident, from this account, that the tripang
trade is one in which no stranger can embark with
any safety, and it is consequently almost entirely
in the hands of the Chinese. The actual fishery is
managed, however, exclusively by the natives.
The fish is caught by them on ledges of coral rock,
usually at the depth of from three to five fathoms.
The larger kinds, when in shallow water, are occasionally
speared, but the most common mode of
taking them is by diving for them in the manner
practised for pearl oysters, and taking them up
with the hands. The quantity of tripang sent annually
to China from Macassar is about 7000 piculs,
or 8333 cwt. The price in the market of
China varies from eight Spanish dollars per