74 THE EEL. 



middle with a piece of waxed silk, then put the thick end 

 of the needle into the head of a loh-worm, letting the 

 point come out about the middle ; then put the point 

 of the needle into the quill, holding the string slack in 

 your hand ; put the baits into holes in hollow walls, 

 under stones, or any place where eels are likely to 

 resort. If there be an eel he will take it and draw 

 the worm and needle out of the quill ; give it time to 

 swallow the worm, then give the line a smart twitch, 

 and it will fix the needle across the throat ; hold a mode- 

 rate tight line and he will soon come out of his hold, 

 and you may then bring him to land. Instead of the 

 quill you may make a small cleft in the end of the stick 

 to put the point of tbe needle in, which answers as 

 well. 



There is another way to take them. Get a bundle of 

 straw, and put inside of it a quantity of offal, then tie a piece 

 of string round near to each end; then get a strong 

 cord and tie it round the middle of the bundle, and with 

 a large stone sink it in the most likely place for eels, 

 leaving the end of the cord on land; go early the next 

 morning after leaving it there ail night, . take hold 

 of the string and pull out the bundle of straw as quickly 

 as you can, and you will find a quantity of eels creeping 

 out of it. 



They are also taken with night-lines with several 

 hooks fixed on them baited with lob- worms, bull-heads, 

 minnows, and lampreys cut in pieces ; the latter is the 

 best bait for these kinds of lines. 



