A HARBOUR ALIVE WITH FISH. 449 



" The moment a baited hook was thrown in, it was imme- 

 diately seized by some voracious fish. Sometimes the strong 

 hand-line broke at the first tug, and sometimes we hauled 

 alongside the boat monsters we dared not handle, and so 

 had to cut the line ourselves and let the fish go, hook and 

 all."* Further on, the same author mentions that "in the 

 magnificent bay called Charlotte Harbour, fish are found of 

 such size, and in such numbers, as I could not have believed 

 existed in any part of the world, had I not myself seen them. 

 They bumped against the bottom of the canoe, threatening 

 to upset us, and impaired the play of our paddles in the 

 water. I have no doubt such a statement may appear in- 

 credible, but it is no less a fact." f 



In many ways for a winter sporting tour, both for 

 gun and rod, Florida possesses many advantages not 

 easily to be matched elsewhere though there are no 

 heavy game animals. Good tarpon fishing is also to 

 be had in the harbours and on the coasts of Jamaica. 

 Here the tarpon rise readily to the artificial fly. 



It may be interesting to some of our readers to 

 mention that the tribe of giant herrings is by no 

 means confined to Florida and the adjoining coasts. 

 The tarpon (Megalops Atlanticus] may represent the 

 finest variety of these fish, but our Australian waters 

 are known to contain at least two other varieties, 

 which run the tarpon closely, viz., Megalops Cyprinaides 

 which has been taken over five feet in length, and 

 Chanos Salmoneus, over four feet in length. Both 



* Wild Life- in Florida, by Captain F. L. Townshend, 2nd Life 

 Guards, 1875, p. 114. 



t Ibid., pp. 121 and 122. 



The hill stations of Jamaica are now quite a fashionable winter 

 resort, where a most enjoyable time may be spent in a magnificent 

 climate and among enchanting scenery. Jamaica has also of late years 

 become celebrated for her fruit markets, the most splendid fruits of 

 many kinds being produced there. 



VOL. III. 29 



