346 LABRADOR 



banks one hundred and fifty miles from our shores, pays 

 tribute to our Vikings of Peace, the acknowledged masters 

 of the mighty Atlantic, even among the rocks of Labrador. 



His name, halibut, probably means "holy plaice," 

 "holy" because a favourite food on holy days. He is often 

 found in water as deep as two hundred and fifty fathoms. 

 He prefers to live in water approaching the temperature 

 of 32 F., or that where fresh water would freeze, and he 

 ranges from the fortieth parallel of north latitude to the 

 Arctic Ocean. The larger specimens attain lengths of eight 

 or nine feet and weights of four hundred pounds; some- 

 times these giants have lived to so great age that large 

 barnacles may be found growing on the skin, much as bar- 

 nacles grown on an old whale. It takes a hand winch to 

 haul up a big fish, and four or five men to get him over the 

 side. Where only two men operate the dory, the usual 

 plan is to list the gunwale over level with the water and 

 then rush the fish and water in together. The halibut 

 has sometimes had his revenge by capsizing the little craft. 

 On one occasion a Gloucester vessel had brought a sick man of 

 their crew to our hospital, and, wishing to express gratitude, 

 offered us a fresh halibut. We gladly accepted, the change 

 of diet being very welcome. We were a little surprised, 

 however, to see later four stalwart men coming up the 

 platform with a fish swung on poles the fish the size 

 of a porpoise ! The fish smokes most excellently, the pieces 

 then much resembling good Wiltshire hams in appearance. 



Halibut are eminently fitted to survive. They are very 

 swift and powerful, have large mouths with fearful, sharp 

 teeth. They have a most catholic appetite that readily 

 embraces a few dozen younger brothers or sisters if these get 



