SOLEX-HUXTING. 38 



Q 



is less greedy of time than of amusement, will say that 

 this mode sinks into insignificance beside the Jersey 

 plan of " salting their tails." Having found a hole, we 

 know that the Solen is at some distance underneath ; 

 it may be only a few inches, it may be many feet. 

 The least disturbance will diive him irretrievably away. 

 We must, therefore, allure him. Placing a pinch of 

 salt over the hole, we await the result. In a minute 

 or two the water begins to well up ; this is succeeded 

 by a commotion — the sand is upheaving — we hold our 

 breath, and keep the hand ready to make a swift clutch 

 — a final upheaval has taken place, and the Solen slowly 

 shows the tip of his siphon ; but he is still buried in 

 the sand, and we must wait till he has thrust himself 

 at least an inch above ground, or we shall lose him. 

 It may be that, having come thus far, he will suddenly 

 change his mind, and, instead of advancing, make a 

 precipitate retreat. But if he raise himself an inch out 

 of his hole, and you are swift, he is yom- prize. Some- 

 times, when clutched, he cKngs so firmly to the sand, 

 that you break the shell or pull it out, and see half the 

 torn body remain behind. At other times he will not 

 appear at all. You have salted his hole, and after 

 witnessing the preliminary commotions, you are never- 

 theless balked, for he retreats deeper and deeper, and 

 his hole faUs in. It thus appears that salting his tail 

 does not necessarily imply a capture ; and it is this 

 uncertainty which gives a relish to the sport. Often 

 when he has appeared at the hole, it is merely to see 

 what is the matter, and to indulge in a not altoo-ether 



