144 ANGLING LITERATURE IN 



seventy years ago : " In the straights of Sicily, every year, 

 at the month of May, and no other time of the year, they 

 fish in an extraordinary manner, not in use in any other 

 part of Europe, for a large sea-fish, called sword-bearers, 

 because they have a bone which resembles a sword with 

 teeth. 



"A fisher sings certain words, made to a particular tune, 

 adapted to the purpose, in order to allure the fish, and 

 enchant it with this music ; as soon as ever it appears 

 upon the surface of the water, it is taken. One of the 

 most experienced fishermen, as well as strongest, fastens 

 a three-pointed iron to the end of a rope, one end of which 

 he ties about his arm, and then stands upright upon the 

 fore part of the boat, while another man who stands by 

 him, calls and allures the fish with words, songs, and antic 

 gestures. No sooner does the fish hear him, but it mounts 

 to the surface of the water, and as soon as ever it appears, 

 the other fisherman darts his iron at it with his whole force, 

 and with admirable dexterity, throwing out the cord at the 

 same time. When he has caught the fish he lets it move, 

 and flounce about in the water, till it has lost all its blood, 

 and is so exhausted as to be able to swim no longer. 

 Then he draws it up into the boat, where the other fisher- 

 man deprives it of the remains of life." 



Montaigne relates of the Scams fish " having swallowed 

 the fisher's hooke, his fellowes will affectionately and 

 presently flocke about him, and nibble the line asunder, 

 and if any of them happen to be taken in a bow-net, some 



