1 88 THE LUG- WORM. 



THE LUG-WORM. 



(Arenicola piscatorum. ) 



On many parts of the coast, in harbours, in coves, and be- 

 tween the rocks, you will frequently see small hillocks on the 

 surface of the sand, and on close examination these will have 

 the appearance of Worms, although composed of sand only ; 

 observe where the largest heaps are, and dig with a spade or 

 three-pronged garden-fork, and you will find Worms four or 

 five inches or more in length, and from the thickness of a swan- 

 quill to that of the top of your little finger. (Fig. 51.) 



They are good bait for all fish which feed at the bottom, 

 but must never be cut, as they are full of blood, and of a soft 

 substance like eggs or small mustard seed, which runs out im- 



FIG. 51. Lug- Worm. 



mediately, leaving nothing but the empty skin, when the bait is 

 of course spoiled. Be particular not to put in your box any 

 pieces of this Worm, as they are not only useless as bait, but 

 their blood will be sure to poison the rest. This bait should 

 be used as soon after it is dug as possible, for it can rarely be 

 kept after the second day. It shrinks up and becomes putrid. 

 I have used it, whiffing for Pollack, baited as at p. 85, fig. 32. 



THE RAG-WORM OR ROCK- WORM, ALSO CALLED THE 

 MUD-WORM. 



(Nereis.) 



Of this Worm it appears there are two varieties : one in- 

 habiting mud-banks, and rarely exceeding the length of three 

 inches ; another, attaining the length of six or seven inches, and 

 found under stones overlaying sand, clay, and gravel, also in 

 the cracks of rocks, and sometimes hiding under the tail of the 

 Soldier or Hermit Crab, which has its abode in a Whelk-shell 



Many a ragged little urchin gets a considerable part of his 

 living by procuring these Worms, digging them out of the 



