CONGER. 305 



Dr. Neill says this species is sometimes, but not very 

 often, found in the Forth ; and, in proof of great tenacity of 

 life, mentions having seen one alive and vigorous in the 

 Edinburgh market, although it had been ten hours out of 

 water. 



The Conger is frequently caught at various rocky parts of 

 our eastern coast, and I have known specimens of large size 

 taken in winter "about the mouth of the Thames. Congers 

 are caught by bulters, or long-lines, and hand-lines modes 

 of fishing already described, and the most esteemed bait is 

 the sandlaunce. " So well assured," says Colonel Montagu, 

 " are the French fishermen of the advantage derived from the 

 use of this little fish, that the fishing-boats in times of peace 

 run over from the coast about Dieppe to Slapton Bay, on 

 the south coast of Devon, on purpose to purchase launce ; 

 and for that purpose alone do some of our fishermen keep 

 fine nets for the purpose of supplying bait to these foreigners, 

 for which they obtain about twenty-pence the bushel. Some 

 principal Conger banks lie off the French coast, from which 

 a prodigious quantity are taken to feed the poorer classes on 

 maigre days. 



The principal fishery for Congers in this country is on the 

 Cornish coast ; where, according to Mr. Couch, it is not 

 uncommon for a boat with three men to bring on shore from 

 five hundred weight to two tons, the fishing being performed 

 during the night ; for this fish will not readily take a bait by 

 day, and even on moonlight nights it is more shy than when 

 in the dark, except in deep water. The most usual bait 

 with the Cornish fishermen is a Pilchard. The Congers 

 that keep among rocks hide themselves in crevices, where 

 they are not unfrequently left by the retiring tide ; but in 

 situations free from rocks, Congers hide themselves by bur- 

 rowing in the ground. 



