296 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



miles off shore ; the first-named of these localities is gene- 

 rally chosen in the summer, the latter in the winter or 

 spring. 



Couch observed that the males exceed the females in 

 number. 



Mr. Dunn recorded that he has seen the roe pressed from 

 the fish when alive into a bucket of water, and each of 

 the ova rests just below the surface. 



Diseases and causes of destruction. The picked dog-fish, 

 Acanthias vulgaris, is partial to these fish, pursuing the 

 shoals, and even tearing them out of the fisherman's nets. 

 Mr. Dunn, writing from Mevagissey (December 4th, 1882), 

 observed how these predatory vermin in many instances 

 rushed in numbers at the netted fish, eating all the captures, 

 and doing so much mischief that some boats had their nets 

 entirely destroyed ; other boats left the ground, which is 

 within a few miles of the Eddystone rocks ; while at one 

 time it was thought probable that the fishery would have 

 to be entirely given up. Other forms of predatory fishes, 

 porpoises, and birds likewise prey extensively upon them. 



It is not unusual to see these fish removed from the nets 

 with one or both eyes gone, not I think due to the gar-fish, 

 Belone, or the saury, Sambresox, having pierced their heads, 

 but consequent upon attacks of fish parasites. In several 

 instances in which both eyes were gone I found the bony 

 interorbital septum still intact, which it could not be had 

 the fish been pierced through the two eyes. It is found 

 with Lernece perforating its eye, as seen in sprats. 



As food. These fish are much esteemed in Cornwall, 

 eaten fresh. Halliwell mentions a Cornwall dish as starry- 

 gazy-pie, being one made of pilchards and leeks the heads 

 of the fish appearing through the crust as if they were 

 studying the stars. 



