CONGER. 341 



of the wind. In simply cold weather they are less eager for 

 food, and seem to be inert; but when the cold is severe, and 

 especially when it is sudden, there are instances of its having 

 proved extensively destructive. On one occasion in the month 

 of February, during an east wind, which had driven the 

 water from the north into the British Channel, large numbers 

 of these fish were found floating on the surface, altogether 

 helpless, although not dead; and under similar circumstances, 

 on the north coast of Somersetshire, in another year, a large 

 quantity were found to have been killed, while at the same 

 time in a situation where they were more effectually sheltered. 

 Congers were sufficiently active to take a bait. Mr. Thompson 

 relates occurrences of a similar sort on the coast of Ireland; 

 and it is scarcely uncommon in the more southern climate and 

 deeper water of Cornwall, where fishermen report that in 

 severely cold winters large numbers have been thrown on 

 shore or left by the tide. Without being dead, these fish 

 appear as if blind, and they are thus found more especially 

 if a south wind springs up presently after a cold wind from 

 the north east, which, however, may have this effect only 

 because it blows directly toward the shore. It is remarked 

 by fishermen that before a storm, especially when the wind is 

 south east -and west. Congers are more than usually active; 

 and it is their belief that if fishing could be carried on in a 

 stiff" gale, more of these fish would be taken then than at 

 other times. 



But as these fish are quickly sensible of changes in the 

 wind or weather, and even appear to anticipate it when at a 

 considerable depth, if a little time is allowed them they seek 

 their usual places of shelter, which are often among rocks 

 near the land, and in the hollows of which they are not 

 unfrequently left for an hour or two by the tide. There are 

 some also which keep in what is termed clean ground, where 

 the bottom is soft, or formed of sand, and in which they 

 seek safety and comfort, although not seldom to their own 

 destruction; for where the tide ebbs to a large extent, so as 

 to leave much of the beach uncovered, people acquainted with 

 these habits of the fish are accustomed to discover them by 

 trampling on the ground, and then to dig them up. Fisher- 

 men are able to distinguish such Congers as live on rocky 



