There is no time to play this fish or drown 

 it. It must be hauled quickly in, for a 

 heavy splash at the end of your other line 

 announces that there is plenty to do. In 

 comes the prize, hammering the stern of 

 the boat with its tail as it comes up, cutting 

 all manner of figures in the air until drawn 

 over the side. Arriving in the boat, it 

 dances on either head or tail with equ,al 

 facility, until you tighten the line, and 

 begin to speculate upon the safest method 

 of getting the hook out of the sharkish 

 mouth. This , fish is the " Barracuda' 

 (^Sphyrcena Argented), one of the best fish 

 of the Pacific Ocean. It is nearly a yard 

 long, lithe and shapely, with pearly sides, 

 and a dark line down the centre of each 

 side. It has the appearance of a Pickerel, 

 though brighter and clearer in color. It 

 has the same ravenous jaws, with rows of 

 serrated teeth, and the same trim figure, 

 built for speed. 



But there is little time to examine the 

 prize, for at the other hooks there is vig- 

 orous splashing and a confusion among the 



