MEXICO 



tempting to rid themselves of these annoying parasites. These 

 marlin are also covered with lice, which I believe is a natural 

 condition where marlin are found in quantities. Many of 

 them have broken-off bills; evidently there is much fighting 

 among them. The water temperature is constantly above 

 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 



Hungry as these little striped marlin are off Guaymas, 

 they do not go to bait with anything like the avidity of their 

 big brothers off Chile and Peru. While I was there I must 

 have seen two dozen fish that wouldn't strike at the bait and 

 a half dozen others that wouldn't even follow it. I did see 

 six anglers in six different boats with six hooked and the fish 

 jumping all at once inside of a very small area. Quite a sight! 

 I wonder what would happen off Chile and Peru if there 

 were sixteen boats (as there were fishing off Guaymas) in- 

 stead of two or three. I also saw the second Rhinedon typus 

 (whale shark) I had ever seen, just clipping the surface of 

 the water as most of them do. Since then I have seen one off 

 Bimini and another off Peru. 



At the Playa de Cortes they are very accommodating about 

 waiting dinner until late in the evening and the food and 

 service are excellent. 



No passports are necessary to enter Mexico— only the 

 tourist's card which is obtainable at any Mexican con- 

 sul's office— and the formalities with the customs officials at 

 Nogales are brief both when entering and leaving the 

 country. 



127 



