182 DOG-FISH AND SHARKS. 



the extraordinary change in the value of fish, I may mention 

 that until within the last few years Skate was not worth sending 

 to the London market ; then, as other fish became scarcer, it 

 was sold crimped at 4^. per pound, but the price has been 

 often much higher. 



The Fireflaire has a frightful double spine on its tail, with 

 which it inflicts fearful wounds, but its liver is reputed to be 

 excellent for scalds and sores. The best part of a Skate is the 

 jowl. The flesh is much used as bait for Crab and Lobster- 

 pots. 



DOG-FISH AND SHARKS. 



(Squalidae). 



Dog-fish are often very abundant round the British coasts, 

 and Sharks are by no means uncommon, although the latter 

 are neither so numerous nor voracious as those of warm 

 climates. They are both looked on as the plague of fishermen, 

 driving away other fish, devouring them on the hooks or in the 

 meshes of the net, of which, as well as of lines and snoods, they 

 make dreadful havoc. The Sharks sometimes swallow Congers 

 already hooked, and are thus taken occasionally in the British 

 Seas ; there have been several instances in Guernsey. 



THE HERRING (Clupea harengus\ PILCHARD (C. pilchardus\ 

 SPRAT (C. sprattus\ AND WHITE BAIT (C. latulus). 



In c Remarks on Nets ' I have adverted to these fish. 

 Pennant mentions that the Herring will take a fly, and they are 

 often caught therewith in the Scotch and Irish lochs at the 

 present day. I have caught a few at Plymouth whilst Atherine 

 fishing. They are taken for bait by jigging on the Irish coasts ; 

 that is, by lowering naked hooks cast into a piece of lead and 

 jerking up. It is of course unsportsmanlike, and only defen- 

 sible as a means of procuring bait. The well-known Sprat is 

 caught in moored nets in a tide-way, in seines, and in drift-nets 

 of fine twine. White Bait are caught in bag and dip-nets in 

 tidal rivers. Dr. Giinther has undoubtedly proved them to be 

 the fry of the herring. There are many other fish curious in 

 their conformation and habits, but which are taken by chance in 



