THE MACKEREL. 229 



and it often happens that, instead of retiring with the ebb- 

 ing tide, they dig into the sand, and remain there until the 

 water covers them again. Advantage is taken of this, and 

 hundreds of men, women, and children set to work with the 

 readiest implements they can find, and the scene becomes 

 very animated. When dug from the sand, the fish leap 

 about with singular velocity, and the gathering of them af- 

 fords a fine amusement to the younger parties, who are 

 •commonly the most numerous and eager in this pursuit. It 

 is remarkable with what ease and rapidity these slender and 

 delicate-looking fish penetrate the sand, even when it is of 

 a pretty firm texture. They are a favorite meal with many, 

 and are sometimes salted and dried ; but their principal use 

 is as bait for the capture of more valuable fishes, there be- 

 ing scarcely any other found to answer the purpose so effec- 

 tually. This well-known fish scarcely ever exceeds seven 

 or eight inches. 



The Mackerel belongs to the same family as the tunny- 

 fish previously described, but is a compai:atively small mem- 

 ber as regards size, being usually about fourteen inches long 

 and about two pounds in weight. This beautiful fish is 

 readily caught by bait, and particularly when the bait — 

 which is usually a piece from one of its own kind — is moved 

 quickly through the water. The boats engaged for this 

 fishing are often under sail. Besides the line, drift-nets and 

 seines are employed. The size of the mesh is one inch and 

 •one-sixth from knot to knot Avhen the twine is wet, or in the 

 square, from one corner to another. A row of corks runs 

 along the head-line, and the lower border is left suspended 

 by its own weight. The number of nets in each boat de- 

 pends upon its size. A boat may carry eleven score of nets, 

 and as these are fastened in length to each other, they will 

 extend to a distance of a mile and three-quarters. The 

 boats on the various fishing-grounds are shot across the 

 •course of the tide twice between evening and morning; for 



