TROLLING WITH DEAD GORGE-BAIT. 201 



of blows on the back of the head, make a series of deep trans- 

 ver?e cuts across the sides, penetrating nearly to the backbone, 

 and at about an inch or two apart. Then cut the gills under- 

 neath the throat, and taking the fish by the tail, hold it in the 

 stream or in a cool spring for three or four minutes to let it 

 bleed, which completes the process of crimping. If the fish is 

 very large, as much as twenty minutes' immersion may be 

 necessary. 



Crimping, as described above, greatly improves the quality 

 of the fish for the table when boiled ; but it requires to be done 

 the moment the fish becomes insensible, and before the stiffen- 

 ing of the muscles takes place. 



The usual method employed in crimping sea-fish is to strike 

 them on the head as soon as caught, which, it is said, protracts 

 the term of their contractibility, and the muscles which retain 

 the property longest are those about the head. The transverse 

 divisions of the muscular fibre must take place, to be of any 

 utility, whilst they have the contractile power of remaining life. 

 See A. Carlisle's observations on the ' Crimping of Fish,' and 

 Mr. Wright's ' Anatomy of Fish.' 



Fishmongers often tell their customers that fish improve by 

 keeping for longer or shorter periods. This is the reverse of 

 the fact. Almost all authorities, who have no interest in 

 proving one side or the other, agree that fish cannot be eaten 

 too fresh. By carefully packing in ice, fish may be presented 

 at table in passable condition some days after killing, but those 

 who have tasted the pike or the salmon fresh caught, on the 

 banks of the Severn or Medway, will not easily be reconciled 

 to the difference. Mr. Wright has a remark on this subject 

 a propos of salmon, but which applies equally to the pike : — 



The fat of salmon between the flakes, he says, is mixed with 

 much albumen and gelatine which very speedily decomposes, and 

 no mode of cooking will prevent its injurious effects on a delicate 

 human constitution. I am confirmed in this opinion by every 

 scientific man with whom I have conversed, or who has ever 

 written on the subject. 



