SOME BRITISH SEA FISHES AND FISHING 233 



and chaffed with and smiled at the onlookers as 

 they continued their arduous work. 



I soon had enough of it, and proceeded to 

 another part of the harbour, where the steamers 

 were lying loaded with the result of long hours 

 of their own trawling and the catches of the boats 

 that remained on the fishing-grounds. On the 

 wharf lay piles of cod and other hook-and-line 

 fish, and innumerable flat-fish, from turbot to 

 skate, while from the steamers' holds a multitude 

 kept pouring out Dealers, fishwives, and " cadgers " 

 jostled one another in their eagerness to inspect 

 the goods, nearly pushing one another over the 

 slimy heaps ; but at last, in orderly array, the lots 

 were arranged, and business commenced. 



I noticed that the cod varied greatly in colour, 

 some being almost white in places, but I could 

 not quite credit the statement that they had thus 

 become albinos from having been exposed to the 

 ice-blocks ! 



Almost deafened by the noise, I left, wondering 

 why trafficking in fish should always and every- 

 where involve gesticulation and loud vociferation. 

 But I returned to my hotel freshened by the 

 suggestiveness of breezy sea-air, and feeling that 

 in fine weather, at least, there is no need to 

 associate "caller herrings" with "lives o' men," 



