THE ECONOMIC MOLLUSCA OF ACADIA. 



37 



In Canada it is fast assuming great importance, as the 

 following table will show. They are oflBcially considered to 

 be worth $4.00 per barrel, though in certain instances much 

 higher prices are quoted. To find the number of barrels 

 divide the value by four. 



VALUE OF SQUID TAKEN IN THK MARITIME PROVINCES FROM 1881 TO 1887. 



1887. 



$ 2,816 

 121,280 



$124,096 



Prince Edward Island sends no returns. In New Bruns- 

 wick they are caught chiefly in Charlotte and Gloucester 

 counties, and in Nova Scotia in Guysborough, Halifax, Vic- 

 toria and Inverness counties. Large quantities are also taken 

 on the Coast of Quebec from the St. Lawrence River to Blanc 

 Sablon in Labrador. 



The Squid is universally taken by means of a "jig." This is 

 & cylindrical piece of lead two inches long, having an eye at 

 its upper end, and at its lower a circle of radially arranged, 

 unbaited hooks with the points upwards. These are moved 

 up and down in the midst of the schools of Squid, and when 

 •one is hooked (no bait is used) it is quickly drawn up. In 

 using it for bait it is usually cut into three pieces, thus bait- 

 ing three hooks. When possible it is used fresh, but upon 

 long voyages it has to be salted. It is the best bait for cod 

 iknown to the fishermen. 



In addition to its use as bait it has been employed in New- 

 foundland as a fertilizer. Ordinarily, it is far too valuable to 

 be used for this purpose, but when great masses of them are 

 -thrown upon the beaches, as they sometimes are, it would be 

 -well for the farmers in the vicinity to remember that they 



