134 FISHING GOSSIP. 
composition of water, and demonstrate in the next 
number of the Journal of Chemical Science that it is 
composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and sunbeams. The 
latter, indeed, in the present instance, appear to be 
the predominant element in the combination. My 
“wrinkle” to the tyro would be on the mode of 
propelling Dingey when searching for eels. This is 
performed in one of two ways. When a second per- 
son is employed for this purpose, he sits with his face 
instead of his back to the spearsman ; and of course 
reverses the usual way of using the oars—he pushes 
the “fins” of the little bark from, instead of drawing 
them towards him. The arrangement, of course, 
secures a more perfect view of, and a better under- 
standing with, the spearsman in front. If the latter, 
on the contrary, works alone, the spear itself is used 
as the sole “motive-power.” By touching the water 
alternately with the heel and point, the operator 
gives sufficient impulse to Dingey, while looking 
up the game. An expert may thus give any direc- 
tion and speed to the craft that the sport requires. 
Showmen, I believe, are invariably allowed the privi- 
lege of “drawing the strings,” when it best suits 
their object and convenience ; I have now the pleasing 
duty to sing out from the paddle-box, not exactly an 
enemy’s ship ahead, but an eel of the “right sort,” 
which I hope to take safely into port as a prize. In 
size it might bear comparison perhaps with one of 
