THE CONGER. 291 



brought to table, than the conger, from the snowlike whiteness of 

 its flesh, which is unequalled by any other fish whatever. 



These fish grow to an immense size, often exceeding a hundred 

 pounds weight, and afford a very important article of food in the 

 south-western coasts of the kingdom, where, taking the year 

 through, they average as high a price as the best cod. 



The larger species are exceedingly powerful as well as tenaceous 

 of life, and not only struggle most desperately in the water, but 

 also show a stout fight after they are hauled on board, hissing all 

 the time like serpents. But they are soon overcome by a blow 

 from a bat or club on the abdomen, which is the most tender part 

 on which they can be struck, and one or two good blows there 

 will speedily disable them. 



They are exceedingly voracious, not scrupling to devour even 

 those of their own kind : and often have I caught two on the same 

 hook, when I have set a bolter or long trimmer ; the first having 

 taken the bait and been hooked through the upper jaw, and then 

 becoming a bait himself, was the means of catching one of his 

 mightier brothers, who had presumed uninvited thus to make a 

 meal of him. 



The larger congers are taken chiefly with stout cord lines, on 

 rocky ground ; amongst whose crevices they repose and shelter 

 themselves in the day, never venturing forth till sunset, but du- 

 ring the night, they feed most voraciously. 



The small ones may be caught in abundance from the rocks with 

 a rod and line, and almost any bait on a moonlight evening, and 

 occasionally a large one may be gotten hold of ; though the latter 

 from his great strength, generally rends the tackle asunder and so 

 effects his escape. 



The spawning time of the conger is generally about christmas. 



