THE EEL. 359 



should be quietly handled, throw out the ball of wriggling worma 

 without unnecessary noise, and not far from the boat, holding the line 

 between the finger and thumb of the right hand, and having it wound 

 round the left for security. In this position calmly wait, being, however, 

 prepared to rapidly draw the bunch of bait in. Presently, perchance, 

 there comes a tugging and tremulous sensation from the bait ; let this 

 continue for a few seconds, till you have counted ten, say, then 

 quickly, but without jerking, draw up and lift all into the boat. You 

 will probably find a voracious eel still attached thereto, having embedded 

 its sharp bristling teeth, backed by jaws second in power to the pike 

 only, into the yielding mass. The worsted, of course, entangles its teeth, 

 and it is thus secured. If it be desired to dispatch the captive, it is only 

 necessary to place the foot upon it, and insert a penknife just through 

 the vertebrae at the base of the brain. Instant insensibility results, and 

 almost entire paralysis of the body. The head still retains its power of 

 biting, however, so I advise the tyro not to play with the jaws. 



The other method, " bobbing," is entirely different. During daytime, 

 eels, like foxes, usually lie " close." They are to be found in the mud and 

 under stones and woodwork, quietly lying perdue, or waiting the approach 

 of something to eat. In order to gratify their longing, the piscator arms 

 himself with the two topmost joints of his jack or barbel rod, and binds, 

 somewhat tightly, upon the end a piece of stout brass wire, about six 

 inches long, slightly curved, the use of which will be apparent presently. 

 In his side pocket he carries his jack reel, and from it he unwinds about 

 two yards of the line and passes it up the rings of his improvised rod, 

 omitting to do so through the top ring, as that is invested by the wire. 

 At the end of this line a stout sewing needle is tied, either by means of two 

 clove hitches and whipping the extreme end to the needle, or by merely 

 whipping with waxed silk. The line in any case must be attached to the 

 middle of the needle, so that the latter when suspended by the line hangs 

 at right angles to it. The needle forms the retaining weapon when the 

 fish has swallowed the bait, I had almost said "hook," and is thus 

 baited : A lob worm is first rolled in sand, and then taken between the 

 forefinger and thumb of the right hand, the needle, with the line pressed 

 parallel to it, being retained, point first, with the forefinger and thumb of 

 the left. The needle is then passed into the worm throughout its body, 

 and the bait, presenting the appearance of a worm hanging head down- 

 wards from the line, is complete. It is now also passed on to the wire at 

 the end of the aforesaid two joints of the barbel or pike rod, in such a way 

 that the wire extends almost to the head. The apparatus is now finished. 



The method of manipulation is as follows : The line is held loosely in 

 the left hand, whilst the right is engaged in using the wired top of the 



