70 RAMBLES OF 



within a few feet of the surface, and attains to twelve, 

 fifteen, or more feet in length. Again she ventures forth 

 from the depths ; and if no further cause of fear present- 

 ed, would gently sail into the placid circle of her home, 

 and with obvious satisfaction explore it in every part. 



Besides the absolute pleasure I derived from visiting 

 the habitations of these glittering tenants of the river, 

 hanging over them from my little skiff, and watching 

 their every action, they frequently furnished me with a 

 very acceptable addition to my frugal table. Situated as 

 my boarding house was, and all the inmates of the house 

 busily occupied in raising vegetables to be sent to market, 

 our bill of fare offered little other change than could be 

 produced by varying the mode of cookery. It was either 

 broiled bacon and potatoes, or fried bacon and potatoes, 

 or cold bacon and potatoes, and so on at least six days 

 out of seven. But, as soon as I became acquainted with 

 the habits of the sun-fish, I procured a neat circular iron 

 hoop for a net ; secured to it a piece of an old seine, and 

 whenever I desired to dine on. fresh fish, it tvas only ne- 

 cessary to take my skiff, and push her gently along from 

 one sun-fish nest to another, myriads of which might be 

 seen along all the shore. The fish, of course, darted off 

 as soon as the boat first drew near, and during this absence 

 the net was placed so as to cover the nest, of the bottom 

 of which the meshes but slightly intercepted the view. 

 Finding all things quiet, and not being disturbed by the 

 net, the fish would resume its central station, the net was 



