210 The Bonito 



The flesh of the tunny or albacore, which is most 

 closely akin to that of the Bonito, is treated very 

 sparingly with salt, and is preserved by boiling it 

 in oil and seaUng it up in tins, which makes it a delicacy 

 that keeps for an indefinite period. No doubt if the 

 Bonito could be caught in easily accessible positions, 

 it could be manipulated in the same sensible way, 

 and might become an article of considerable com- 

 mercial value. But of that there is not the slightest 

 prospect, so that the Bonito will doubtless be left to 

 pursue his jovial way in peace. 



Moreover, there is no blinking the fact that, in spite 

 of the bitter cry of starving multitudes on shore, the 

 incalculable wealth of the sea in food largely goes 

 a-begging. Only let the fishermen be a little more 

 than ordinarily successful, and immediately our souls 

 are saddened by reading of many tons of succulent 

 food being carted away for manure, or left upon the 

 shore to poison the pure air with putrid exhalations. 

 Nay, more, there are not wanting many grave and 

 specific accusations levelled at market magnates, who 

 for fear of a lowering in price, deliberately prevent 

 the distribution of this excellent food, thereby com- 

 mitting the triple crime of robbing the fishermen of 

 their due, keeping from the poor their food, and wasting 

 the precious gifts of God. It is a terribly sad thing 

 to know, and sadder still perhaps to be unable to 

 suggest an effective cure for such a gigantic evil. And 

 if this be the case with the harvest of the sea so easily 

 garnered near shore, how much more is there the 

 greatest unlikelihood of any new fishery being opened 

 up farther afield, and of fish that will not keep ? 



Bonito are found wherever albacore and dolphin 

 are, only more so. For instance, they appear to be 

 more enterprising, readier to respond to the slightest 



