CONGER EEL FISHING AT JERSEY. 51 



to show the weight afterwards ; it saves trouble 

 and time to the fisherman as well as to the 

 buyers. 



There are two sorts of conger that is, they 

 are the same fish, but of different colours : one 

 is the white, and the other the black conger. The 

 black is the much thicker and handsomer fish 

 (if there is any beauty in the conger eel), 

 and is also considered to be by far the best fish. 

 I have often inquired concerning the difference 

 of colour, and I am told it arises from this : 

 the white is a gentleman who goes roaming 

 about from place to place, feeding where he can, 

 and has no settled home ; the black, on the 

 contrary, finds himself some snug hollow, or 

 hole in a rock, where he lives like a hermit, and 

 fattens at his ease. I cannot vouch for the 

 truth of this statement, but all those I have 

 ever questioned on the subject have invariably 

 told me the same thing, and I think it seems 

 reasonable. 



Old Tar Bucket quickly baited again for me. 



" Now, sir, lower away, and at 'em again ; 

 they be on the feed, and well have the wessel 

 half full before the morning. This be an out 



42 



