The Groupers 215 



the most valuable food and game fishes, many of 

 which are noted for their size. It has a large 

 head, with wide buckler-like gill-covers, very large 

 or deep where its neck should be, grading off 

 gradually ; not what would be termed a handsome 

 or comely fish, yet with its red coat, bright and 

 prominent eyes, long and full dorsal, it makes 

 a brave showing. The young, especially when 

 they weigh about ten pounds, are particularly 

 attractive. 



There are fascinations in angling in tropical 

 seas not experienced elsewhere. The fishing is 

 excellent all the year round. Sir Henry Wotton, 

 the good friend of Izaak Walton, once said that 

 u he would rather live five Mays than forty 

 Decembers," and every angler will agree with 

 him, as where is there good fishing in December? 

 It is the season in the North for story-telling. 

 The angler takes out his rods, his fly-book, or his 

 trolling lure, large and small, and tells to some 

 patient and loyal friend, who has heard the same 

 tale fifty times, of the colossus that escaped on a 

 certain day ; and the friend, with the camaraderie 

 of the true angler, smiles, expresses wonder, and 

 enjoys it, and fails to note how the monster 

 grows with passing seasons. But there is a 



