176 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



like the angler's, but much larger and open at , the top. 

 Fishing here is daily carried on throughout the year except 

 in winter, when, being full of spawn, they are rejected as 

 food. In some places they are sought for by moonlight, 

 and it has been said that their silvery brilliancy is more 

 striking by night than by day. A rake is used in some 

 parts, or a strong piece of iron wire bent into a sickle 

 shape. 



A writer ("Old Log") in the Field (June i8th, 1881) men- 

 tions that " When going fast through the water to get over 

 some very unpromising ground, and our baits were nearly at 

 the top of the water, I felt a very light bite, and, drawing in 

 my line, found that I had got hold of a large sand-eel, whose 

 mouth was little bigger than the baited hook. Now, ac- 

 cording to all ordinary rules, the sand-eel should have been 

 in or about the sand at the bottom, and yet he was foraging 

 at the surface, and took a Belgian grub, which must have 

 been a novelty to him." 



Baits. It appears to like live bait best, and objects to 

 any if in the least tainted. 



Breeding. This may vary in accordance with the seasons 

 in different localities. In August, at St. Ives, I found the 

 roe similarly advanced to what I observed in A. tobiamis, 

 and conclude they both spawn in the autumn and winter 

 months. 



As food. A very delicate dish, especially when in roe, 

 but not good during the winter months, when it is thin and 

 out of condition. 



Uses. As bait, for which its silvery appearance well 

 adapts it. 



Habitat. From the Atlantic shores of Northern Europe 

 and coasts of the German Ocean, and very rarely found in 

 the Mediterranean. 



