FISHES HUNTED IN SPORT 381 



' a mournful, half-accusing row ', unused, and perhaps uncared 

 for." 



Some of the " coarse fish " also provide good sport, particularly 

 the Pike (Esox hiciiis, fig. 1269), the Barbel (Barbus vulgaris), 

 and the Perch (Perca flmriatilis). 



Sea -fishing in many forms also has innumerable votaries. 

 If size, strength, and game qualities are taken as the criteria, 

 the great Tarpon (Megalops thrissoides), common off the coast of 

 Florida, must be given a prominent position. It is to all intents 

 and purposes a gigantic herring, which may be as much as five 

 feet in length; and W. H. Grenfell says of it (in The Sports of the 

 World] that ". . . until a new sporting fish is found I think 

 the tarpon in the sea, as the salmon in fresh water, can still 

 claim to be the most exciting quarry of the angler with the rod 

 and line". Fishing for the Tunny (Orcynus thynnus) off the 

 south coast of Spain would also seem to be a worthy occupation 

 for the brethren of the rod, and specimens captured in this way 

 have scaled as much as 50 pounds. 



Among native marine fishes, the Grey Mullet (Mugil capita) 

 and Bass (Labrax lupus) are perhaps the most esteemed, on 

 account of their sporting qualities and the difficulties attending 

 their capture. Both frequent estuaries, and the Bass is a near 

 relative of the Perch. 



