DRIFT-LINES ON THE WHITING-GROUND. 51 



about two inches and a quarter in length, unless the fish run 

 small. (To open Mussels, see p. 187). 



To bait with a Mussel (for which see figs. 14 and 15), having 

 first taken it out of the shell, spread it open in your hand, when 

 you will at once discover the tongue, through which you are to 

 pass the hook (see fig. 14) \ then closing it as you would a 

 book, turn it over and hook it through the round gristly part, by 

 which it attaches itself to the shell (see fig. 15). 



Note. Mussels may be kept alive three or four weeks, by 

 hanging them over the side of a boat in the water in a basket 

 or net, or in a closely made Crab-pot, or in a sheltered pool 

 amongst the rocks : this renders them very valuable to the 

 fisherman, who, in some parts where bait is naturally scarce, 

 sends as far as twenty miles for them. 



Lug-worms are also in very general use. The largest of 

 these are about the thickness of the little finger, and have a 

 great number of small legs, somewhat like those of a large 

 caterpillar, whilst the tail part is very small ; they are to be 

 obtained by digging in the sand in the sheltered bays of the 

 sea-shore, and in most harbours where the ground is congenial : 

 their presence may always be detected by the little hillocks of 

 sand and marks on the surface, having the appearance of 

 worms ; hook them through two or three times. These will 

 be found a very good bait when used quite fresh, but are almost 

 useless after the second day. (See also p. 188.) 



Note. Whilst fishing for Whiting you may also take fish of 

 the following varieties : namely, Cod-fish, Haddock, Bream 

 (sometimes called Chad-Bream), red and grey Gurnards, Dabs, 

 Ray or Skate, Hake, Pollack, &c, and occasionally a large 

 Mackerel. 



Drift-lines on the Whiting-Ground. It is a good plan to 

 put out a drift-line without lead, having a large hook (No. 4 in 

 the cut of hooks, fig. 62, p. 210) baited with the side of a 

 red or grey Gurnard of seven or eight inches in length ; a 

 piece of a Long-Nose or Gar-fish will also answer very well ; 

 as by this method you will be likely to take very large Pollack 

 from ten to twenty pounds' weight. 



These baits are to be hooked on by passing the hook once 



E 2 



