27^ MALACOP. APODES. EEL FAMILY. 



tremity of tlie pectorals. It may be affirmed, gene- 

 rally, to be distributed all around the shores ot 

 Britain and Ireland, and also occurs in many other 

 countries. Large shoals are frequently observed 

 swimming about near the shore, and it often happens 

 as with the species already noticed, that instead of 

 retiring with the ebbing tide, they dig into the 

 sand, and remain there till the water again covers 

 them. Advantage is often taken of this by the 

 people dwelling on the coast, and when it is dis- 

 covered that a shoal of Sand-eels have hidden them- 

 selves in the sand, they repair often in great numbers 

 to the spot, armed with spades, shovels, three- 

 pronged forks, rakes, &c. to dig them out. This 

 they seem to do partly for the sport, and partly for 

 the value of the fish, and we have sometimes wit- 

 nessed very animated scenes on such occasions. 

 When dug from the sand, the fish leap about with 

 singular velocity, and the gathering of them affords 

 a fine amusement to the younger parties, who are 

 commonly most numerous and eager in this pursuit. 

 It is remarkable with what ease and rapidity these 

 slender and delicate looking fish penetrate the sand^ 

 even when it is of a pretty firm texture. They 

 seem to form a favourite morsel with many, and are 

 even at times brought to the Edinburgh market and 

 sold by measure. On the south coast of England 

 they are sometimes salted and dried. But their 

 principal use is as bait for the capture of more valu- 

 able fishes, there being scarcely any other found to 

 answer the purpose so effectively. 



