502 



UTILIZING THE ECHENEIS. 



So ingeniously simple a mode of fishing was in great 

 vogue on the American coast in the sixteenth century, 

 and reference is made to it both by Peter Martyr, who 

 wrote in 1532, and Hernandez de Oviedo, who wrote in 

 1535. 



The following description is founded upon Commerson's 



CATCHING TURTLE WITH THE ECHENEIS. 



narrative. The fishermen, he says, attach to the tail of 

 an echeneis a ring wide enough not to inconvenience the 

 fish, and yet small enough to be kept in its place by the 

 caudal fin. To this ring a long line is fastened. The 

 echeneis is then placed in a vessel of sea-water, which is 

 frequently renewed, arid being carried on board the boat, 



