SHEIMPS AND SAND-EELS. 117 



better." " Lor ! " he whispered to his companion as 

 they moved away, " I'd no idea there was sick a thing 

 to be got here at all." This remark did not surprise 

 Hie, when I know that local inhabitants are as pro- 

 foundly ignorant, and, what my English readers will 

 think still more surprising, as heedless of the fact. 



I saw one evening while dredging, a lad stooping 

 near the edge of the water with a builder's trowel in 

 his hand. With this instrument, he was rapidly 

 scooping the sand in a semicircle before him, and dex- 

 terously catching a large number of Sand-eels, which 

 he popped into a basin as fast as he could pick them 

 up. I had noticed several persons with spades at- 

 tempt this sport of Eel-catching, but with compara- 

 tively poor success. The weapons they employed 

 were too unwieldy to be of efficient service, but the 

 use of the trowel is, I believe, an admirable plan. 



The Sand-eels are in great favour among amateur 

 anglers as bait for Pike. I have tried them, and can 

 speak as to their usefulness, the fish snapping at them 

 with great eagerness. I may add, that the lad above 

 mentioned did not apply his haul for bait, but for 

 home consumption; I asked him if they were good 

 flavour when cooked ? 



" Aye ! " said he, " real fine ; in fawk, I dinna ken 

 onything half sae guid." 



I have tried the Sand-eels many times in the 

 Aquarium, but they have rarely survived beyond a 

 few hours. 



Most writers speak about Shrimps being suitable 



