AMBEOSE — ON ST. MARGARET'S BAY FISHING GROUNDS. 73 



St. Lawrence. The first arrivals are generally but small de- 

 tachments of the main body, which passes along from the fil'st to 

 the last of November. As the mode of capturing these fish is 

 vividly described by Dr. Gilpin in the last year's Transactions of 

 this Society, I need not dwell upon this part of the subject fur- 

 ther than to remark, that attempts are very seldom made here to 

 catch mackerel with the hook. When this system is tried it is 

 only with No. 3 fish in June and July. The best bait is a piece 

 of the belly of the mackerel, for these fish are terrible cannibals, 

 and will in a moment tear to pieces and devour an unfortunate 

 wounded companion. When in a seine for any length of time, 

 all that mesh are eaten by the rest. Here also another pecu- 

 liarity is observed. During and immediately after a heavy 

 shower — unless frightened by thunder — the mackerel in a seine 

 will rise to the surface to drink and bask in the fresh water, 

 which, of course, for a little time, remains on top. For the 

 same reason these fish sometimes " show" or break water better 

 in rainy than in fine weather. 



It is also observed by our fishermen, that in time of drought 

 in the early part of the summer, mackerel trim the shore better 

 than in a rainy season, and from this they infer that they are 

 seeking the fresh water of the brooks and rivers. 



The food of these fish is sea-fleas, young herring and 

 alewives, britt, or eye-bait, &c. As young alewives are a 

 favourite bait for them, the damming of our rivers, by which 

 the propagation of these fishes is prevented, is no doubt one 

 cause of the scarcity of mackerel in our bays of late years. 



The possibility of making large hauls and speedy gains in- 

 vests mackerel fishing with a charm, which like an ignis-fatuus 

 leads many a fisherman to his ruin. Many have already left 

 the Bay, deprived of house and home by their creditors ; but 

 others remain, encouraged by an occasional instance of great 

 success, like that which a few years ago befel one of my parish- 

 ioners. Year after year had this man been sinking deeper and 

 deeper in debt, until one autumn his merchant in Halifax, 

 wearied out, refused to credit him with winter supplies for his 

 family. Bursting into tears, the poor man turned homewards 

 to meet his needy and helpless wife and children, but on his 

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