GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 4l:3 



THE BARB, OR KING FISH. 



— — ♦ — 



This is^ in all respects, a better and finer fish, both for the 

 captor or the epicure, than the last. 



He is with us, at New York, a summer fish of passage, and 

 is, it is much to be lamented, becoming yearly more and more 

 rare. 



In Mr. Brown's " American Angler's Guide," it is stated that, 

 " As a game fish, he is considered as giving more real sport 

 than the Trout, Bass, or Salmon. His name and whereabouts 

 has only to be whispered to the New York angler, and he is off 

 after sport that he has perhaps anticipated for years.'' 



Now, to this I must record my positive dissent ; for though 

 it may be, and is, very true that the King Fish is a great 

 favourite with the New York angler, that he is a game fish, 

 biting briskly in those seasons when he is found abundantly in 

 these waters, and offering resistance both longer and stronger 

 than any other small salt-water fish — still no one — except those 

 jolly old codgers who consider patience demonstrated by sitting 

 still in an anchored boat, and comfort evidenced by the conso- 

 lation of the inner-man with beef sandwiches and cold brandy- 

 and-water — would dream of considering it better sport to sit for 

 hours, between Black Tom and the Jersey shore, with no hope 



