344 CONGER. 



especially when also the fish is in an early stage of growth; 

 for fishermen report that this method of deliverance is less 

 frequently employed by the older fish. As soon as the restraint 

 is felt the revolving motion begins, by which the shorter line 

 is twisted into a ball, with a force that is often sufficiently 

 strong to wrench the hook from the jaws. It may happen, 

 however, that in its repeated turning the body of the fish itself 

 has been bound into the same ball with the line, and the 

 intention is defeated by the same means that were adopted to 

 secure it. 



Nor are these the only occasions in which this singular sort 

 of motion is put in force; and it becomes not a little formidable 

 if brought to act upon the human hand which has found its 

 way into the fish's mouth; of which an instance has been long 

 remembered in personal experience. Fortunately the Conger 

 was not large; and it had been left by the tide in a cavity 

 beneath a rock, into which there was scarcely room for the 

 hand to be introduced, to draw it out. But in attempting this 

 the thumb was grasped within the jaws of the fish; on which 

 the instinctive motion immediately began, so that the teeth 

 were made to act like a saw round the circumference of the 

 thumb; and it was only by a sudden and violent jerk that the 

 flesh was preserved from severe laceration. 



A fisherman had safely taken a stout Conger into his boat, 

 when the fish snapped at and caught his foot within its mouth, 

 and sprang overboard, carrying his shoe with it. In another 

 instance, where the fish was of large size, the result was rather 

 amusing than formidable; but the lesson to be taught is that 

 there is danger in incautiously meddling with these fish. A 

 man had thrust his foot into the mouth of a Conger that 

 shewed little signs of life; when suddenly the jaws grasped it, 

 and an active revolving motion began by which he was dashed 

 to the ground with considerable violence. Mr. Thompson has 

 adduced instances where even the jaws of the separated head 

 have closed on and bitten the hand and foot of those who 

 have meddled with them ; and the continued vitality of this 

 fish in all its parts after the head has been cut off is well 

 known. But it is even more remarkable that if the brain be 

 pierced on a limited portion of the hindward part of the head, 

 •this fish dies immediately, without a struggle; ffnd in explanation 



