48 



A FISHING-PLACE OF COMACCHIO. 



[CHAP. ir. 



and which, in its turn, finds food in the insect and vegetable 

 world of the lagoons. Other fish are bred as well as the eel 

 viz. mullet, plaice, etc. On the 2d day of February the year 

 of Comacchio may be said to begin, for at that time the montee 

 commences, when may be seen ascending up the Eeno and 

 Volano mouths of the Po from the Adriatic a great series of 

 wisps, apparently composed of threads, but in reality young 



A DIVISION OF COMACCHIO. 



A. Canal Palotta. 



B. Entrance from the canal. 



C. Canal for the passage of boats. 

 C'. Sluices for closing canal. 



D. First compartment of the labyrinth. 



E. Outer basin. 



F. Antechamber of the first compartment. 



G. Chamber of the first compartment. 



H. Second compartment. 



I. Chamber of second compartment. 



K. Third compartment. 



L L L. Chambers of third compartment. 



M. Wickerwork baskets for keeping fish alive. 



N. Boat Avith instruments of fishing. 



O. Dwelling-house. 



P. Storehouse. 



eels ; and as soon as one lot enters, the rest, with a sheeplike 

 instinct, follow their leader, and hundreds of thousands pass 

 annually from the sea to the waters of the lagoon, which can 

 be so regulated as in places to be either salt or fresh as re- 

 quired. Various operations connected with the working of the 

 fisheries keep the people in employment from the time the 

 entrance-sluices are closed, at the end of April, till the com- 

 mencement of the great harvest of eel-culture, which lasts from 

 the beginning of August till December. The manner of life of 



