FISH IN COMACCHIO. 233 



nets on any part of the shore connected with the lagoon, 

 and will not even permit those with a wider mesh, ex- 

 cept at a certain distance from shore, in order that no 

 damage be done to the ascending fry. When the head 

 of these long seed-columns begins the ascent, all the 

 rest continue to follow, unless some unforeseen incident 

 break the endless chain ; a calamity which is carefully 

 guarded against by the removal of every obstacle. 

 About the end of April all the sluices are again closed, 

 and the lagoon is reconverted into a basin hermetically 

 sealed, within which the aquatic flocks are henceforth 

 retained within their respective compartments until 

 reckoned fit for sale. The soles, generally lying upon 

 the mud, chase the worms and insects on which they 

 feed ; the mullets, intrepid voyagers, move about per- 

 petually in search of animals weaker than themselves, 

 but living mainly on the marine plants, or the organic 

 matters with which they are covered. These singular 

 creatures, when aware of being caught in the divisions 

 of the labyrinths, mount to the surface, put their large 

 heads out of the water, and with a noisy rush follow the 

 fishermen on the banks, as if expecting them to be 

 their deliverers ; a sight which recalled to M. Coste the 

 words of Martial " Nomenclator mugilem citat notum, et 

 adesse jussi prodeunt mulli" 



The aquadelle, a fish of very small size, forms within 

 these basins innumerable banks, and appears to be the 

 prey appointed for their carnivorous population. The 

 eels in particular are their cruel assailants. In order 

 to chase them, they assemble in those places where 

 there are falls in the water, the favourite locality of 

 these tiny fishes, and, darting upon them, intertwine 

 them in voluminous knots. So great is the fury which 

 animates them that they can be diverted from their 

 object neither by boats passing above them nor by the 

 approach of nets. They persevere till their ravenous 

 appetite is satiated, when they bury themselves in the 



