

THE BRAIZE, OR BECKER. 173 



sometimes caused by a large fish sweeping round them all before 

 he can be taken on board. To take large Pollack whilst Bream-' 

 fishing scale a small Bream, and cutting off one of its sides 

 divide it in two lengthways, and put half of it out on a stern 

 drift-line without lead, with a No. 6 hook (fig. 62, p. 210). 



A short-handled net is very convenient to get the large 

 Bream on board. 



The back fin of this fish is studded with sharp spines or 

 prickles, which renders great care necessary in taking it off the 

 hook. In Bream-fishing the oilskin petticoats worn by seamen 

 are very useful, and, clad in these, you may venture to clip the 

 Bream between your knees, then, putting finger and thumb into 

 the eyes, you will be able to hold them whilst withdrawing the 

 hook. 



The Sea-Bream is not usually held in great estimation, but 

 if stuffed with veal stuffing and baked, and occasionally basted 

 with butter, will be found far from despicable. It is getting 

 into greater request than formerly. 



THE BRAIZE, OR BECKER. 



(Pagrus vnlgaris. } 



This fish is blue on the back, the sides are bright and silvery 

 when first taken out of the water, but they turn almost black in 

 death. It takes Mussels, Rag- Worms, and Lugs, and is often 

 caught when Pout-fishing on the ground lines, but never in very 

 considerable numbers, as it is not a plentiful fish on our coasts. 



I have frequently taken them when at the Pouting ground 

 by throwing out a drift-line without any lead, and baiting with 

 a fresh Mussel or slip of any fresh fish. 



If hooked on fine gear, the line must be carefully handled, 

 as it is a very strong fish, and struggles to escape with a succes- 

 sion of sharp jerks. Its flesh is better flavoured than that of 

 the ordinary Sea-Bream, and if stuffed, baked, and basted with 

 a little butter or beef gravy, will be found really excellent. 

 There are other varieties of the Sparidce, or Bream family, but 

 which have no special means of capture in our seas. They will 

 be found in Mr. Couch's voluminous work on British Fishes. 



