Page 228 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883_Neat

58 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

Third.—The fish are treated ns in the second process, but instead of
being placed iu brine they are packed dry and left for some hours, when
they arc again taken up, washed in the sea, and spread to dry. When
dry, they are packed for storing or exportation.
The fish generally cured up the Gulf by the second or third processes
are: ' Khabat,' * Ilalwa Sufcyd' (Pomfret), * Halwa Siyah/ ‘Ilif*
* Knn'nd' (Seer fish), * Khuboor,' * Umedhrcys/ * Ilamarrab.' The price
of these cured fish varies at different places and also at the same place at
different times. The average price at Bushire is about one kran a Tabriz
maund (8 pounds), the average price for the fresh fish being from five
krans to twelve krans a Ilasham maund (12t pounds) according to the
species of fish.
"With regard to the fish curing at Muscat, Lieutenant-Colonel Mile*
writes:—■" Great quantities of salt-fish are prepared at Muscat and other
places on the 'Oman coasts for home consumption and for exportation.
Four kinds of fish are made use of—First, the Seer fish, Arab ' Kunad/
which is sent almost exclusively to the Mauritius market for consump­
tion by the plantation coolies. Second, the 'Schwab/ which is cured
chiefly at Kuryat, and carried into the interior of 'Omdn for consumption
in the hot season. The price of this kind averages twenty per dollar.
Third, ' Sidk/ which is all consumed locally. Fourth, the * Geedar/
which is both exported and used locally.
'' The process of salting is performed in a very indifferent manner,
and the price obtained abroad for 'Oman fish is much inferior to what
it would be, were the fish cured with more skill and care. Shark fins are
bought at Muttrah by the Khojah traders, who pay about one dollar
• Muscat inaund is 9 JLs. per maund* for clean and well pared
(Sd.) I. MacItor. pieces. Fius in bulk fetch about four
dollar: per five maunds.”
Turtle.—Turtle are found in considerable numbers at nearly all the
islands in the Gulf and at some places on the coast. They are generally
of two species, 'llamas' or1 'Gheylura' (Muscat), called in Persian
* Kasnh-Pusht' or ' Sang-i-Pusht,' the hawk's bill turtle, and 'Sheeroo
(Arabic aud Persian). They are caught by the spear or harpoon, or are
stalked and turned over when they come on shore to lay their eggs.
Also when seen sleeping on the surface of the water in a place, where
there is no fear of sharks, a man swims up to them and turns them on
their back, when they are helpless until lifted into the boat.
The Carapace or 'Dabl' of the ‘Hamas' or ‘ Kasah-Pushfc' *•
exported as tortoise shell, and is 6old in Bombay for about Rupees 1
per maund of eight pounds. The flesh of the ' Hamas' is also eaten by
Sunnee Mohammedans.
The 'Sheeroo' is worthless for either its shell or .as food,
macb as ten or fifteen maunds of oil are extracted from one turtle,
which is used for oiling the boats and for lighting purposes.
The eggs of both species are eaten by Suonees.
Fitk fount in lie Per,,an Gulf and at Mutcal.—The van'etu*^
fish found in the Persian Gulf and 'Om6n Sea are very numerous,
difficulty of tabulating a list of them is greatly increased by the