210 SURMULLET. 



altliongh it is the habit of this fish to keep close to the 

 bottom, the change of place is effected by swimming near the 

 surface over a large dejith of water, by doing which it often 

 becomes entangled in the drift-nets set at a distance from land 

 for the spring approach of Mackerel. 



The trammel-net, which is chiefly used to take this fish 

 near the coast, is formed of three parallel nets set to one 

 head and foot line, with meshes of some considerable difference 

 of dimensions in the separate nets, the middle one having 

 the distance from knot to knot just sufficiently large to 

 receive the head and forward part of the fish, while the 

 outermost net on either side, which hangs a little more loosely, 

 has its meshes sufficiently large to allow of the passage of 

 the body of the fish until it has felt itself arrested in its 

 course; at which time its struggles call the larger meshes 

 into action to form a bag or entanglement, by which the 

 captive fish is prevented from falling out and being lost 

 when the net is drawTi to the surface. This net is set in 

 places known to fishermen, where the gi'ound is oozy, with 

 scattered stones; and it is proper that the foot-rope should 

 rest on the ground, for the fish is disposed to find its way 

 under it in seeking its food, which is the smaller kinds of 

 crustaceous animals and worms, which rest on the ground; 

 with perhaps sea-weeds. Its stomach is thick and firm, and I 

 have also found in it fragments of a shell resembling the class 

 termed a Venus; but it was an ojjinion of ancient times that 

 this fish fed on, and even gave a preference to, every foul 

 and loathsome substance, among which putrid fishes, and even 

 the human carcass, stood pre-eminent. Oppian says, — 



"Of all tlie kinds that range the spacious flood. 

 Luscious Surmullets seek the coarsest food. 

 In beds of slime they roll with wanton ease. 

 And cull the grossest ordure of the seas; 

 But shipwrecked men, (detested sights of woe,) 

 The richest course of luxury bestow; 

 Whatever baits a nauseous smell diffuse 

 With sure success commend their constant use. 

 Swine and Surmullets seem alike inclined, 

 Mean in their choice, their palates unrefined; 

 But none that yield a more delicious food 

 Or haunt the forest or divide the flood." 



In proof of their alleged fondness for human flesh it has 



