MELTING-IN-MOUTH DELICACIES. 467 



made by the caller, the fish leap into the boat by hundreds; 

 and it is said that if the light is not extinguished, the white 

 mullet will leap into the boat in such numbers as to swamp 

 it. It seems almost a fish story, but the retailers of the story 

 are so numerous and respectable that I believe it implicitly. 



THE BLACK MULLET. 



This fish is regarded along the coasts of Virginia and 

 North Carolina as the best pan-fish of Southern waters. Its 

 marks of black on a light gray and shining white body ren- 

 der it singularly picturesque. It is captured by thousands 

 daily throughout the summer and up to November in nets; 

 while anglers, with light tackle and very small hooks, find it 

 interesting sport, as it is a ready biter, and evinces such sur- 

 prise at hooking itself that it darts about spasmodically, 

 shakes its head, and never yields to be taken into the boat 

 until it swoons. It is taken on very light tackle, single-gut 

 leader, and fine round gut snells, with small trout -hooks. 

 Bait with small bits of fish or clam, and fish with the ad- 

 justable float, as represented below. The float is adjusted 

 to the depth of water by an end of wire extending from 

 each end of the float beyond the ring. By this method the 

 float may be more easily attached to the line, and changed 

 to suit different depths of water, than the old style of trout- 

 float. A copy of the float is given below. 



