[53] HISTORY OF THE TITE-FISH. 289 



on a hard bottom with excellent results. When making "flying sets," 

 to "try the ground," it is desirable that the gear shall sink as soon as 

 possible, in order that it may soon be hauled in again. Lobster pots, 

 of the ordinary pattern are somewhat unwieldy and sink slowly, and 

 the necessity for speedy action when fishing under sail makes it desir- 

 able to pull them in again before they have been sufficiently long on 

 the bottom to secure the best results.* 



After hauling our trawls we ran to the westward about ten miles and 

 hove to for the night, with the "jib to the mast."t 



During the day the wind had backed easterly, and at sunset was 

 southeast, blowing a moderate breeze. The weather at that time was 

 fine, but the sun "setting in a bank" gave us reason to suppose that it 

 might be less favorable on the next day. 



Friday morning, the 22d, there was a fresh southeast breeze, with in- 

 dications of stronger wind, and possibly rain before night. Orders 

 had been given the previous night to exercise considerable care to 

 keep our position, and so well was this attended to that at daylight we 

 sounded in 140 fathoms. At this time the men were called out to bait 

 the gear. One man was sick, therefore we set only one string of trawl, 

 which we put out at 8.30 a. m. in 125 fathoms, latitude 40° V north, 

 longitude 71° 2' west, by dead reckoning. 



We hauled the gear at noon, three men going in the dory. At this 

 time there was a strong and increasing wind with a choppy sea going. 

 As there was little probability of its moderating enough to set again in 

 the afternoon, we took the dory on deck, took care of the catch, and 

 stowed the trawls below. 



On this occasion ("Lot No. 3") we caught twenty-fit^e or thirty hake, 

 several silver hake, and eleven specimens of the remarkable red fish 

 which we had first seen the day before. One of the latter w;-s so badly 

 eaten by slime eels that it was thrown away. Several of the finest 

 specimens were put on ice, while the rest, with the exception of two, 

 which we ate, were put in alcohol. Mr. Phillips, believing the species 

 might be new to science, and deeming it an important matter to deter- 

 mine its qualities as a food-fish, suggested that we should eat one, as 



*0n the ground where we were fishiag it would probably have made little differ- 

 ence, for the slime eels (Myxine) were so plenty that they invariably consumed the 

 bait when the pots were set at a later date, and it is very likely that their presence 

 in such great numbers would have prevented the entrance of other and more desir- 

 able species, which might otherwise have been captured. 



tThis is a favorite method of heaving a vessel to on the fishing-ground among tht 

 niarliet fishermen from New York to Portland, Me. The jib is trimmed flat, so that 

 its clew is nearly amidships, or it is held in about the same position by a "tail rope" 

 from the weather bow. The helm is then secured in such a manner that the vessel, 

 by lying first on one tack and then on the other for greater or less time, will hold her 

 position much closer than would be expected. However, to accomplish this success- 

 fully requires the peculiar knowledge of these vessels, and the skill to manage them 

 possessed by the fishermen, and which only long experience can give. 

 S. Mis. 46 19 



