122 NOTES ON FISH AND FISHING. 



I think, be utilized to advance the angler's art. He can 

 take his stand by the side of the tanks and watch the 

 various movements of fish, and especially their manner of 

 taking their food, and ejecting what they do not care for, 

 or are suspicious of. I am sure the angler might learn 

 much from his observations, as a variety of suggestions 

 which might be useful in his art would present them- 

 selves. At all events he would observe some interesting 

 facts, which would account for more than one mystery 

 connected with his craft. For instance, he would notice 

 that some fish, especially the deep-bellied ones, take their 

 food almost standing on their heads, and that some rise 

 up tail first through, the water after taking it. I noticed 

 this particularly one day in the case of the tench at the 

 Westminster Aquarium. The fact at once supplies the 

 reason for our floats sometimes assuming a horizontal 

 position on the water when a fish, especially a bream, 

 bites ; for a fish rising tail first from the bottom with the 

 bait, at last has the shots on the line suspended from his 

 mouth, and the float, relieved of their weight, consequently 

 ceases to " cock." 



A suggestion has been made, though I do not suppose 

 seriously, that exhibitions of fishing in Aquaria tanks 

 would prove attractive. The fisherman is to take his 

 stand or seat of course above the tank, and then to go 

 through all the usual processes, casting in his ground-bait, 

 plumbing the depth, and angling for his fish secundum 

 artem. But, joking apart, by suck exhibitions, or rather 

 I would call them experiments, anglers would learn many 

 a lesson as to the biting of fish, and perhaps as to many 

 other matters which belong to the art of angling. I 

 would not, however, counsel such experiments being made 



