38 FISH CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
water beneath stirred by the splash of the constantly falling 
offal from the splitting-tables above. Fishermen in oil suits are 
pitchforking fish out of loaded boats up to the stands, and boats 
laden and empty constantly arrive from and depart to the fish- 
ing-grounds. Gaunt dogs stroll along the landwash in search of 
food, and uncouth sculpins, with mouths as wide as their shoul- 
ders, try and tussel with seach other for choice bits of tempting 
offal drifting with the tide. On every available space upon the 
rocks codfish are spread out on “flakes” to dry, and myriads of 
delicate caplin are curling and curing in the sun. These choice 
little fish are much relished by the resident settlers, who always 
prepare and lay by a good stock for winter consumption. Ona 
warm day the air is redolent with innumerable stenches of cu- 
ring and decaying fish, and noisesome exhalations from huge vats 
of livers trying out for oil. The occupation is by no means 
savory, and he who has once watched the process for ever after 
eats his codfish-balls with some compunctions of stomach, know- 
ing that they are seasoned with something besides salt. 
Women as well as men take part in the business of dressing 
fish, and in the recesses of the moss-thatched hovels the voice of 
the maiden may often be heard singing gleefully as she heads 
and splits, while the unceasing splash of the offal dropping into 
the water beneath chimes in befitting unison. An expert will 
split six thousand fish per day, or head twice that number. 
Every fishing-station comprises a large salting-room, or store, 
where the prepared fish are temporarily housed. -This building 
is always conspicuous among the stages and lodging-shanties. 
The latter are constructed of spruce poles or studs, like the 
stages, generally boasting but a single apartment, which both 
sexes occupy in common, the only division being that imaginary 
one which excludes all objects outside the line of vision. Sun- 
day in Labrador is always a day of rest. The mornings are 
generally spent by the Catholics in humble devotion and prayer, 
and the afternoons in ball and card playing, music, drinking, 
and dancing. Other denominations observe the day in like man- 
ner, save that the morning services are omitted. . 
Many of the fishing-vessels cure their fish on board. The 
outfit of each vessel includes a cargo of salt, a supply of lines — 
