196 FISHING AS PRACTISED IN 



Sicily. There is a destructive method of fish- 

 ing practised by the Sicilians in the Mediterranean 

 Sea. It is called the Balancella : two latined- 

 rigged vessels, with a fresh breeze, drag an im- 

 mense net, by means of hawsers ; which net draws 

 in every thing in its course. 



Chambers' Journal, Nov. 10, 1832. 



Bass Rock, near the Frith of Forth. Solan 

 Geese are the chief inhabitants of this rock. A 

 curious method is used by the fishermen of this 

 neighbourhood to catch them ; they take a small 

 wooden plank, which is sunk a little below the 

 surface of the sea, by means of a stone, or piece 

 of lead ; on this plank they fasten a herring, and 

 then drag the plank after them by a long rope at- 

 tached to the boat. The bird, attracted by the 

 sight of its favourite food, wheels two or three 

 times in the air, and then plunges down with such 

 rapidity, that it often transfixes the plank with its 

 bill, and is almost invariably stunned or killed 

 with the shock. 



Penny Mag. No. 82, July, 1833. 



Sole-Pritching. I was once present at sole- 

 pritching on the coast of Sussex. It can only be 

 followed when the sea is calm. My companion 

 had a very long harpoon, and discovered by prac- 

 tice what I could not the soles at the bottom ; 

 indeed their backs were the colour of the sand : 



