Chap. 85.] IIOW THE ANTHIAS IS TAKEN. 473 
formed by the generative powers of the waters and the earth : 
in one part of the body they are already alive, while in that 
which is of later formation, they are still composed of earth. 
(MAP. 85. (59.) — HOW THE EISH CALLED THE ANTHIAS 
IS TAKEN. 
I^or wonld it be right to omit what is said about the fish called 
anthias, and which I find is looked upon as true by most 
writers. I have already mentioned the Chelidonise, certain 
islands off the coast of Asia ; they are situate off a promontory 
there, in the midst of a sea full of crags and reefs. These parts 
are much frequented by this fish, which is very speedily taken 
by the employment of a single method of catching it. A fish- 
erman pushes out in a little boat, dressed in a colour resembling 
that of his boat ; and every day, for several days together, at 
the same hour, he sails over the same space, while doing which 
he throws a quantity of bait into the sea. Whatever is thrown 
from the boat is an object of suspicion to the fish, who keep 
at a distance from what causes them so much alarm ; but after 
this has been repeated a considerable number of times, one of 
the fish, reassured by becoming habituated to the scene, at last 
snaps at the bait. The movements of this one are watched 
with the greatest care and attention, for in it are centred all 
the hopes of the fishermen, as it is to be the means of securing 
them their prey ; nor, indeed, is it difficult to recognize it, 
seeing that for some days it is the only one that ventures to 
come near the bait. At last, however, it finds some others to 
follow its example, and by degrees it is better and better 
attended, till at last it brings with it shoals innumerable. 
The older ones, at length becoming quite accustomed to the 
fisherman, easily recognize him, and will even take food from 
his hands. Upon this, the man throws out, a little way beyond 
the tips of his fingers, a hook concealed in a bait, and smug- 
gles them out one by one, rather than catches them, standing 
in the shadow of the boat and whipping them out of the water 
with a slight jerk, that the others may not perceive it ; 
while another fisherman is ready inside to receive them upon 
pieces of cloth, in order that no floundering about or other 
noise may scare the others away. It is of importance to know 
B. V. c. 35. 
