40 LEAVES FKOM A GAME BOOK. 



in pursuit of their favourite food, and on such occasions 

 there will be more of these shark-like gentry hauled up 

 than delicate whiting. 



There is one species of dog-fish carrying a long 

 thorn-like spike on its back a little above the tail; this 

 weapon, which varies from one to two inches in length, 

 is so strong and so sharp that a fish of but a few 

 pounds weight can drive it through the leather of a 

 boot, and when bare flesh is pierced, it usually festers 

 and swells to an alarming extent. All such customers 

 should be dealt with summarily before being brought 

 into the boat, and as the head of the thorn-bearer 

 reaches the gunwale, a smart rap should render him 

 harmless. I was often surprised at the numbers of large 

 dog-fish I have landed on the rather fine single gut 

 used for whiting fishing, and can but account for this 

 by recalling to mind that these last-named fish require 

 quick striking, and thus all the dog-fish having been 

 caught for whiting, had been hooked only just inside the 

 lip, and so hindered from reaching and cutting the gut 

 with their teeth. 



