THE BULTEft, Oft BOT/TER. 35 



several tons' burden, is always anchored at one end 

 of the bulter, the tide being so strong off at sea 

 that any buoy would be submerged, or, from the 

 want of landmarks, it would be impossible to find 

 it again when once shot. It is generally set or laid 

 of an evening, and hauled again in the morning at 

 the turn of tide, when often many hundredweight 

 of fish are the result of the night's work, consisting 

 of enormous congers, rays, ling, cod, brill, dog- 

 fish without end, and many other kind of bottom 

 fish. Mackerel cut in four, squid, pilchard, her- 

 ring, or any kind of fresh fish, make good bait 

 for this kind of fishing ; sometimes sharks are 

 taken as they seize the conger and other fish when 

 being hauled in. I have seen them on the coast 

 of Devon from five to fourteen feet long ; they are 

 usually hauled alongside the boat and then ripped 

 open with the long knives used by fishermen, and 

 when dead are hauled on board the boat. Some- 

 times 200 or 300 hooks are used on a bulter ; 

 and a wine cork is firmly fastened on the back, 

 or main line, at every eight to twelve feet, 

 so as to keep the bait clear of the weeds. The best 

 way in shooting it is to lay it across the tide, if 

 possible, as fish when feeding usually swim with 



