THE SEA ORB. 



Industry of Dutch fishermen. 



cast about the beginning of May, and they con- 

 tinue casting most part of the summer. 



When the breeding time ceases, which is about 

 October, they are become very poor and thin ; 

 but they soon begin to recover, and gradually in- 

 crease in goodness until the following May, when 

 they have reached the highest state of perfection. 



The Dutch fishermen, who are indefatigable 

 in their pursuits, begin their operations very 

 early in the winter, in which the English succeed 

 them, but seldom with equal success. The me- 

 thod is by lines, and is certainly fatiguing and 

 dangerous; but the value of the capture gene- 

 rally repays the pain. The skate and thornback 

 are very marketable articles, good food, and their 

 weight, which is from ten to two hundred pounds 

 weight, amply repays the trouble. 



THE SEA ORB. 



THE general marks of this creature are, that 

 its figure is almost round; that it has a mouth 

 like a frog, and is from seven inches to two feet 

 long. It is covered with long thorns, which 

 point on every side; and when the animal is en- 

 raged, it can blow up its body as round as a 

 bladder. There are several varieties of this 

 unshapely and extraordinary creature. Some 

 N 2 



