i 4 4 THE FISHERIES OF THE ADRIATIC, 



relative figures are: Fiume and Croatian ports, 80 tons; Zara, 140 tons; 

 and the remaining ports together, 60 tons. 



The huge Sharks make their appearance only during the summer heats. 

 Gurnards are most prevalent in winter and early spring; Weevers, Scorpions, 

 and the Poor in spring and autumn ; Meagres in spring and summer ; 

 Gar-pike, Whiting, Horse Mackerel, and Lizza in summer; Mendole and 

 Conger-eels in summer and autumn. The Cephalopods are never missing 

 in the markets, and, especially the young ones, are much esteemed as food 

 in winter. The Cuttle-fish (Stppa), the Octopus (Fo/po), and Elcdone 

 moschata are the cheapest produce of the sea, and are favourites with the 

 lower classes. The flesh of the Squid (Calamaro) is sweetish, and hard as 

 leather ; it is indigestible, even in the best of seasons, yet it is a favourite 

 with the better classes, to judge by the price it sometimes fetches. Sepiola 

 Rondeletii (Sepiola) is often served on the tables of the rich, and is not to 

 be despised. 



Among the Crustaceans the Norway Lobster (Scanipo) undoubtedly holds 

 the first rank in the Fiume market ; it is found throughout the winter, from 

 September to April, when the Italian trawling-boats ply, and it sells, as a 

 rule, at is. to is. 6d. per kilo, and at 3s. to 4s., exceptionally, for instance, 

 at Christmas and Easter. In Trieste and Venice it is considered a great 

 delicacy. The heads are removed for transit, and only the tails are offered 

 for sale, fetching as much as 10s. a kilo. The common Lobster (Asiicc) is 

 common on the west coast of I stria and Trieste, and the Rock Lobster 

 {Languste) on the Dalmatian coast ; they are often very abundant in summer, 

 selling at Fiume and Trieste at is. to is. 6d. a piece. At other seasons they 

 sometimes fetch as much as 10s. for the inland markets. 



Crabs are not much cared for : the larger kinds, such as the Sea-spider 

 (Granzcolc), and the Harry Crab {Granzi), when plentiful, sell at id. or 2d. 

 each. The Fiume market is very poor in this respect, the variety in other 

 fish-markets being much greater. Shrimps and Prawns (Skilla, Gambarettd) 

 are caught in large quantities on the sand-beds near Grado and in the 

 lagoons of Venice, whence they are brought to market at Trieste. 



The rest of the submarine animal produce goes by the name of Frutti di 



