OCEAN FISH AND OCEAN FISHING 83 



Our sailors all declared that pilot-fish could not 

 be caught with hook and line, and the captain said 

 the same. Our doctor was a born fisherman, and 

 between us we hit upon a plan of catching one as 

 a specimen. I happened to have with me a roach- 

 line and several small hooks. With these and a 

 piece of pork fat, one scorching hot day in a dead 

 calm, we began operations. 



Directly the almost invisible line, weighted with 

 a bullet, was lowered, the fish went for the bait, 

 and we caught one, leaving the fest in peace. It 

 was a little beauty, a glittering emerald-green, its 

 sides striped with broad bands of ultramarine, its 

 much-bifurcated tail a lovely blue, each tip being 

 snowy white. It reminded us of a par. It was 

 placed in a jar of spirits, and consigned to the 

 doctor's collection. 



Stray pilot-fish have been captured in Ramsgate 

 Harbour, probably following a ship ; but at Fal- 

 mouth they are by no means uncommon, dozens 

 having been seen during October, 1856, in various 

 parts of its beautiful harbour. 



