NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 353 



retired, but not before the rocky shore was strewed with 

 " Robins " and other smaller fish, which, in their attempt 

 to escape from their voracious enemies, had fairly leaped 

 on shore. These I picked up, and restored to their native 

 element. I know not the proper name of these " Robins," 

 but they are a handsome, plump fish, six inches in length. 



Air-blown Fish, 



It is the custom of Bermuda fishermen, when they 

 take a large fish, such as Groupers and Rock Fish, to 

 pass a small rope through their gills, and tow them alive 

 into port. The fish thus brought to market are almost 

 always so blown with air as to float belly upwards, being 

 unable to retain their natural position in the water. 

 The fishermen assured me this does not arise from towing, 

 and that all fish caught in deep water invariably come to 

 the surface in that state. 



Shallow-water fish, they say, are never blown in this 

 manner. 



Again, the Porcupine Fish, when hooked, comes to the 

 surface expanded with air into the form of a ball, with its 

 formidable spines erect ; but when taken in a fish-pot it 

 does not exhibit this extraordinary inflation, and the 

 spines are recumbent. 



August, 1855. — Eels (Anquilla).— Common in the ditches 

 of Pembroke Marshes, where they are sometimes taken of 

 two or three pounds weight, and are very like the English 

 Eel. They greedily devour young ducklings. My neigh- 

 bour, Mr. White, has now a brood of ducks, nearly full- 

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