122 FISHING GOSSIP. 



When learned men thus perpetuate calumnies, 

 no wonder ignorance follows suit, and dubs, or 

 rather daubs, the poor thing with the slang syno- 

 nym of " snig." His unworthy fate would seem to 

 pursue him to the last. As all the world knows, he 

 is skinned alive, broiled, fried, or stewed, and other- 

 wise maltreated, even before it has been ascertained 

 that the " vital spark " has fled. 



'Tis true, I am free to confess, that there is a 

 branch of the eel family which would seem to pro- 

 voke this cruel treatment. These pariahs of the tribe 

 are generally found in such filthy places as canals, 

 drains, marl-pits ; and even make their way into the 

 squire's pet ponds. The Csesarean operation, per- 

 formed upon these outcasts of the eel family, gives 

 birth sometimes to strange results indeed. I have 

 myself seen large frogs, young water-rats, and duck- 

 lings that had wandered too far from the maternal 

 wing, brought to light by the process. It is even 

 said that these demoralised members of the family 

 feed on drowned dogs, cats, and other animal impuri- 

 ties found floating on their favourite haunts. But 

 admitting the worst, it does not amount to a valid 

 reason for condemning the whole race. Amongst 

 most animals, individuals will be found " no better 

 than they ought to be." In the south of Europe, hares, 

 which in this country are deemed rigid " vegetarians," 

 are strongly suspected of carnivorous indulgences, 



