FLORIDA AND THE WEST INDIES 249 



consistency to give the hook purchase. Otherwise, 

 if this be not done with extreme care, the beef 

 washes off the hook the moment it is in the water. 

 The next time I visit those seas, it will be with 

 exceedingly fine gear. So clear is the water that 

 the fish are frightened by tackle that in our foggier 

 bays at home deceives anything that swims. 



