Tarpon Pishing in Florida. 



remaining surface is a slightly yellowish- 

 white, not dissimilar in hue to mother- 

 of-pearl, though without its iridescence ; 

 translucent, but not transparent, and shiny 

 on the inner side. They are hard, thin, 

 and of shell-like fibre. After being re- 

 moved from the fish and dried, they curl 

 up so as to remind one of a Saratoga chip, 

 but will, if moistened and compressed, re- 

 gain, at least for a short time, their former 

 shape. The extreme brilliancy of the sil- 

 very portion becomes tarnished by degrees, 

 inclining either to yellow or black ; but 

 the permanent color is still beautiful and 

 astonishing. The back of the fish is black, 

 and the silvery effect gradually begins at a 

 line well above the eye. 



Some anglers have seen fit to perpetu- 

 ate their triumphs by having specimens of 

 these monsters mounted on a panel, which 

 is accomplished by splitting the fish in 

 two, leaving an ample margin at top and 

 bottom, and treating the necessary half 

 with arsenic and other condiments prized 

 by the taxidermist. They form magnifi- 

 cent trophies for the hall or dining-room 

 of a large house ; and when gazing at a 

 hundred-pound tarpon, which is certainly 

 rather below than above the average weight 

 of the fish, one finds difficulty in believing 



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