256 FISHES I HAVE KNOWN 



distance from the metropolis, and the uncertainty 

 of getting back to Penzance through stress of 

 weather. In those islands they have a novel way 

 of securing turbot, plaice, and other flat fish, 

 which a friend of mine practised some years ago- 

 He was royally entertained by the late Mr. 

 Augustus Smith, "King of the Islands," who after- 

 wards sent his guests on a spearing expedition. 

 In the calm water they could distinctly see on the 

 sand at the bottom, the shape of the fish, and with 

 a long barbed pole they transfixed fish after fish, 

 no easy matter when a heavy one came to hand. 

 Once a lobster, presumably in love, was brought 

 up, tightly clinging to a large turbot. Like Saul 

 and Jonathan, in death they were not divided. 



Of course, this kind of sport is only possible in 

 exceptionally quiet weather, which is rare in the 

 land of Lyonesse, but the sea is always wonder- 

 fully transparent. 



- I cannot leave the subject' of Cornwall without 

 mentioning two comical little fish, gobies and 

 blennies, always to be found in the clear pools 

 left by the retreating tide. They hide under the 

 sea-weed, and can be enticed out of their retreat by 

 small pieces of raw meat, dropped down to them 

 through the exquisitely clear water. Both these 

 little creatures are provided with an extensive 



