24 Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland. 



the satisfaction of seeing both^. Tobianus and A.Lancea taken 

 indiscriminately. From the loose sand covered with water to 

 about the depth of nine inches, the persons engaged in this 

 occupation with great dexterity drew these fishes from their 

 lurking-places, using for the purpose old reaping hooks. 

 These are run through the sands with the right hand drawn 

 towards the left, by which the fish is seized and transfeiTcd 

 to a basket strapped round the waist and carried in front. 

 It is in shape hke the angler's, but much larger and open at 

 the top. The A. Tobianus is said to be always scarce here 

 compared with the A. Lancea, and is sometimes not to be 

 found at all. An intelligent fisherman informed me that 

 the greatest quantity he ever took of the former species 

 during "one ebb" was twelve or thirteen quarts. It is 

 by measure both kinds are estimated and sold, the A. Lancea 

 producing from one to two pence the quart, and the " sned- 

 dens", being more highly prized on account of their superior 

 size, one half more. On inquiring hoAv the two species 

 are distinguished when of equal size, one man stated by the 

 difference of form, and chiefly in that of the head; and an- 

 other said he knew them by colour alone. Although the dif- 

 ference was in each respect very apparent to myself, I put both 

 parties to the test, and found that the one guided by form, and 

 the other by colour, drew the A. Tobianus from his basket 

 with equal dexterity, and without a moment's hesitation 

 singled it out from hosts of the A. Lancea. This fishing is car- 

 ried on here daily throughout the year except in winter, when 

 being full of spawn the sand-eels are considered unfit to be 

 eaten. At other times they are used by all classes of people. 

 In the excellent hotel at Dundrum they were served up to us 

 at dinner along with salmon, and were fried with crumbs of 

 bread strewed over them — for breakfast they are similarly 

 cooked. The poorer people dry them in the sun, and in bright 

 days the tables and trays of the cottage are sure to be seen set 

 out before the doors covered with sand-eels. 



August 27. — At Newcastle, about three miles south of Dun- 

 drum, great quantities of sand-eels were taken at the morning- 

 ebb of the spring-tide ; by some individuals so many as forty 

 quarts. In the evening I reckoned about eighty persons out 

 fishing, and having two one-horse carts in readiness beside 



