MACKAKKL. 73 



Towards the end of May the Mackarel has become loaded 

 with spawn, and in the course of the following month they 

 approach the shore for the purpose of shedding it. They may 

 then be seen in schools in rapid motion, sinking, and again 

 rising to the surface; and shewing by the liveliness of their 

 actions, that this process of nature is one of exquisite enjoyment. 

 But it is to them a time also of great danger, which they make 

 little effort to avoid. Seans are now brought into action, and 

 a huer is appointed, whose station is on some commanding 

 eminence, where he watches for the appearance of the school. 

 On a signal given the fishermen haste to their post and prepare 

 to act. We shall describe the nature of a sean more at length 

 when we speak of the Tunny and Pilchard; but for the present 

 it will be sufficient to remark that the sean for Mackarel is 

 about one hundred and fifty fathoms in length, and nine 

 fathoms in depth at the middle or bunt, and seven fathoms 

 at the ends; these proportions being necessary in order to 

 allow of its being so swept in the action of tucking, as to 

 enclose and raise the body of fish to the surface. The meshes 

 are so small as to prevent the fish from being entangled in 

 them. The head-line in buoyed aloft with corks, and the 

 bottom carried down with leads. Two boats are employed, of 

 which one carries the sean, which is shot in a circle round 

 the fish, while the other keeps the loose end steady, and by 

 at last closing the ends, shuts up the fish as in a pond. 

 The Mackarel is an active fish, and might effect its escape 

 before the ends of the sean could be brought together, so as 

 by the operation of tucking, to bring the body of fish within 

 the reach of baskets, by which they are taken into the boats. 

 To prevent this, therefore, one or two of the men are kept 

 employed in plunging stones, prepared for the purpose, into 

 the opening, by which means the fish are hindered from ad- 

 vancing, until the only possible outlet for escape is closed 

 against them. This mode of fishing affords an occasion of 

 much interest and excitement to a spectator, as well as to the 

 fishermen, and some remarkable instances in it are recorded. 

 The season lasts for about a couple of months, at the end of 

 which the fish have again separated into smaller companies, 

 and the line and hook remain the only effectual method of 

 fishing. 



VOL. II. L 



