ADDENDA. | 439 
* rious, according to the proximity of the banks, 
“and the bottom is generally covered with foft 
“clay and marine plants. It is here that the 
* mackrel lie in concealment during winter ; and, 
* thrufting the head and anterior part of the bo- 
“dy about a decimetre into the mud, their tails 
“are kept perpendicularly above it. ‘Thoufands 
* are found thus buried in each barachoua, and 
* cover the bottom of the bafin in fuch a man- 
“ner, that feamen, unacquainted with the coaft, 
* have been afraid to approach what they thought 
‘ were fhoals. In Citizen Pleville’s opinion, the 
é furface of thefe Sarachouas is frozen in winter ; 
‘ and the thicknefs of the ice, as well as the fnow 
above it, moderate the effects of the feafon, and 
contribute to preferve the animals alive. Only 
towards July do the mackrel recover part of 
their activity, depart from their holes, and, com- 
mitting themfelves to the waves, traverfe the 
* great banks. It even appears that this fixpor, 
or torpidity, is diflipated by degrees. Their 
‘ fenfés are feeble for twenty days; their fight is, 
‘ fo weak, that they feem blind; and they are 
‘ eafily caught in nets; afterwards they can, only 
* be taken with the hook, but bemg emaciated 
; from long ities and greedy far the bait, 
“ great numbers are caught,’ page 22, 32. 
bee P. 207. 
