BAITS, AND SEA-FISHING 123 



brim full. Even such fleshy univalves as the whelk 

 (Buccinum undatum) are not overlooked. But 

 the supply is too intermittent, even if the ad- 

 vantage was more assured, to entitle these to be 

 included in the list of available baits. 



At a certain season, often when the sea is at 

 its calmest, and there is nothing in the nature 

 of the weather to account for it, a succession of 

 splashes, where the wavelets are lapping on the 

 sand, draw attention to the stranded cuttle-fish. 

 This probably occurs all along the east coast. One 

 may count as many as a dozen thus rendered 

 helpless, in the space of half a mile. If this 

 happened all the year round, and not for a few 

 weeks only, these might come to be reckoned in our 

 bait supply. Cuttle-fish culture has been suggested ; 

 but, so long as other, and cheaper baits are available, 

 will scarcely be attempted. At present, the cuttle- 

 fish used in the winter cod-fishing are bought 

 from the trawlers, at prices varying from two, 

 to three pounds a box. 



An equally good bait for cod, and much less 

 expensive, when they are to be had, are the 

 common shore anemones, especially the dahlia 

 (Tealia crassicornis). I find the fishermen here 

 call them " paps," a not inapt name, as they appear 



