174 THE GAR-FISH, OR LONG-NOSE. 



THE GAR-FISH, OR LONG-NOSE. 



(Bclone vulgaris. ) 



The Gar-fish, Long-Nose, Snipe-Eel, or Sea-Needle, has a 

 very long slender body, and a bill like a snipe or woodcock, 

 studded with small sharp teeth ; it varies from two to three feet 

 in length. 



This fish is usually taken in nets, and frequently accom- 

 panies the shoals of Mackerel, but it may be taken by a light 

 drift-line in a tide-way or under sail, with a small-sized Mackerel- 

 hook, and a slip of any shining fish as bait, with or without a 

 Rag-Worm on the point of the hook ; also with the half Sand- 

 Eel as used for Mackerel (fig. 42, p. 135), and on the Floating 

 Trot (fig. 35, p. 97). 



The best lines for this sport are the horse-hair lines without 

 lead, which, to take Gar- Fish, must be handled in a peculiar 

 manner. From their beak-like form of mouth they cannot take 

 a bait quickly like other fish ; when, therefore, you perceive a 

 bite, give two or three yards of line, to enable the fish to get 

 the hook well within its mouth, then strike with a smart jerk, 

 and you will generally be successful. It has somewhat of a 

 Mackerel flavour, but is of a much stronger taste, yet, if cut in 

 four-inch lengths, nicely fried, and the green bones removed 

 before being sent to table, is by no means an unpalatable fish. 

 It is useful as bait for Whiting, Turbot, or Conger. 



They are of a very sportive nature, and may often be seen 

 leaping out of the water in rapid succession ; in fact, so fond 

 are they of this, that the fishermen frequently throw into the 

 sea a small spar or sprit, for, if there are any in the neighbour- 

 hood, they are almost certain to be attracted, and commence 

 throwing themselves over it, thus betraying their locality. In 

 France and the Channel Islands it is known as the Orphie. 



THE RED MULLET. 



(Mullus surmiiletus.} 



These fish have always been held in great repute both by the 

 ancients and moderns, and are taken both in the trawl, seine, 



