38 SEA FISH; 



apart on the trace, and retained in their places by knots 

 tied in the trace for that purpose, and a few split duck- 

 shot for sinkers, if there is any " run ;" if not, use no 

 sinker of any kind.* Bait with either a small piece 

 of mud- worm about half an inch long, covering all the 

 hook but the extreme point, or small flakes of the 

 green weed which is found attached to stones in fresh- 

 water rivulets like green silk ; twist three or four times 

 round the hook, and allow a small portion to hang free 

 like a tail. The plump white larvse from wasps' nests, 

 small pieces of soft green cabbage which has been 

 boiled with any description of meat, or artificial flies 

 of a bright gaudy description, may be used at times 

 with success. The harpoon arrow, of which a descrip- 

 tion will be found, may also be tried. 



The mullet requires more than ordinary care in its 

 management when hooked, as it is exceedingly strong 

 in the water ; and the lips, which are usually found to 

 be the bed of the hook, being so easily torn, any 

 violence is pretty certainly followed by the loss of the 

 fish. A landing-net is exceedingly useful. The grey 

 mullet occurs with more or less abundance round the 

 English coast, along the southern shores of Ireland, 

 and as far north as the Baltic Sea and the coast of 

 Norway. I have also taken them in the harbour of 

 Sebastopol, and the mouth of the Tchernaya. The 

 mullet spawns about the latter end of June. 



* A small cork float may be used in fishing by either of these 

 modes. 



