72 VIKINGS OF TO-DAY 



fathoms, or even in ninety fathoms, as many as 

 three to four thousand cod being meshed at one 

 time. Under certain circumstances nets are no use, 

 e.g., on the great banks, or late in the season in 

 Labrador. Lines must then be used, and it is advis- 

 able to use bait on the hook. To us accustomed to 

 row out and catch a few codling with a mussel, the 

 subject of " baits" has apparently little interest; 

 But out here it has become a subject of international 

 importance. The fact is, mussels are too soft, coming 

 off the hook too readily, and also cod are a fastidi- 

 ous fish, and will only condescend to swallow that 

 " poisson " which is in season. True, it is not essen- 

 ,tial to .bait the hooks at all. Instead you may take 

 two large hooks, fix them back to back with a piece 

 of lead, which will act at once as bait and sinker. 

 Lower this to the bottom, and then keep jerking it 

 up and down. Often you will strike fish as fast as 

 you can work, using one line in each hand. This 

 method, called " jigging," eventually injures the 

 fishery, probably because numbers of fish escape 

 after being wounded, and others follow them, possibly 

 to devour them, more than five being injured for one 

 caught. The fishermen say the injured warn their 

 friends, but a fish's appreciation of pain is somewhat 

 doubtful. 



Sailors have told me of sharks which, after being 

 caught and having had their livers cut out, will con- 

 tinue to pursue and swallow the same piece of pork 

 as long as sufficient vitality remains in them to keep 



