of the water is fenced
in, generally in a circular form. The reed fence being quite flexible
is gradually moved in, narrowing the circle. As the circle narrows, the
agitation inside is indescribable; fish jumping in all directions--a
moving mass of glittering scales and fins. The larger ones try to leap
the barrier, and are caught by the attendant _mullahs_, who pounce on
them with swift dexterity. Eagles and kites dart and swoop down,
bearing off a captive fish in their talons. The reed fence is doubled
back on itself, and gradually pushed on till the whole of the fish
inside are jammed together in a moving mass. The weeds and dirt are
then removed, and the fish put into baskets and carried off to market.

Others, again, use circular casting nets, which they throw with very
great dexterity. Gathering the net into a bunch they rest it on the
shoulder, then with a circular sweep round the head, they fling it far
out. Being loaded, it sinks down rapidly in the water. A string is
attached to the centre of the net, and the fisherman hauls it in with
whatever prey he may be lucky enough to secure.

As the waters recede during October, after the rains have ended, each
runlet and purling stream becomes a scene of slaughter on a most
reckless and improvident scale. The innumerable shoals of spawn and
small fish that have been feeding in the rice fields, warned by some
instinct seek the lakes and main streams. As they try to get their way
back, however, they find at each outlet in each ditch and field a
deadly wicker trap, in the shape of a square basket with a V-shaped
opening leading into it, through which the stream makes its way. After
entering this basket there is no egress except through the narrow
opening, and they are trapped thus in countless thousands. Others of
the natives in mere wantonness put a shelf of reeds or rushes in the
bed of the stream, with an upward slope. As the water rushes along, the
little fish are left high and dry on this shelf or screen, and the
water runs off below. In this way scarcely a fish escapes, and as
millions are too small to be eaten, it is a most serious waste. The
attention of Government has been directed to the subject, and steps may
be taken to stop such a reckless and wholesale destruction of a
valuable food supply.

In some parts of Purneah and Bhaugulpore I have seen a most ingenious
method adopted by the _mullahs_. A gang of four or five enter the
stream and travel slowly down