196 ON THE ECONOMICAL USES OF FISHES. 



mention, is the sole, Solea vulgaris, which is in 

 season almost the whole year round, and whose flesh 

 is considered of excellent quality, being " firm and 

 white." Soles are taken principally by the trawl- 

 net, and in such plenty, that 80,000 baskets of this 

 fish were sold in Billingsgate market alone in one 

 year. 



Two kinds of fresh water eels are to be seen in 

 the shops, but their consumption is limited. They 

 are caught in the Thames and other rivers, where 

 they abound, in traps of wickerwork, which stop 

 many of the fish in the autumnal months, in their 

 periodical migration to the salt water. Many are 

 killed by means of a long three-pronged spear, which 

 is thrust down into the mud from a boat, and only 

 those of pretty large size are thus taken, as the 

 smaller ones escape between the prongs. We have 

 seen another method of catching eels practised on 

 some of the English rivers, by a man in a small boat, 

 with a stick and line in each hand, at the end ol 

 the line there is a large bunch of worms, strung upon 

 thread or worsted, and tied in a bunch. It requires 

 some dexterity to lift the eels into the boat before 

 they slip off, as no hook is used to detain them. 

 This is a very successful way of fishing. The prin- 

 cipal supply of eels to the London market is derived 

 from Holland, whence they are brought over in well- 

 boats. 



The conger eel, Conger vulgaris, frequents out 

 rocky coasts in various places, and is so abundant 

 in Cornwall, that, according to Mr. Couch, it is not 



