FISHERIES, TOPOGRAPHY, ETC. 79 



masses of rough rock and fields of grass-like weeds. 

 They range from deeg water to the rocky shore; 

 aire taken abundantly with the seine, arid bite freely 

 at a bait of pilchard (Clupea pilchardus); but only 

 fish of small and middling size are commonly caught 

 in pots. The fish of large dimensions (of two feet 

 and a half) will rarely bite at a hook worked in the 

 usual manner. For then the fisherman takes a wire 

 hook (No. 1 or 2) as large as a goosequiU, which 

 he throws overboard, baited with a pilchard, but in 

 a peculiar fashion. One side of the pilchard is split 

 nearly off, remaining attached only by the tail ; this 

 is allowed to hang free, and a slice from the back 

 and one from the belly are allowed to hang in the 

 same way. The hook is then passed in at the mouth, 

 out at the gills, and again through the middle, and 

 the head is tied to the top of the hook ; another 

 slice is then put upon the hook, and made to hang 

 down. This is designated a " full bait." No sinker 

 is attached, but its own weight is sufScient to carry 

 it nearly to the bottom. The line being passed with 

 two turns round the fisherman's finger, he seats 

 himself comfortably in his boat, and awaits the bite 

 of the first large fish that may choose to essay the 

 baited hook ; which it usually does by taking in the 

 whole at a gulp. 



