1042 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
gers swallow their prey head first, as a rule, but when 
committing an act of cannibalism they swallow their 
small brother often, if not always, tail first. If the 
youngster is a bit too big, you may often see him 
three parts swallowed, and when the big one is quite 
exhausted the other will wriggle out none the worse, 
except that it is scratched by the big one’s teeth. We 
have had this happen so often with the same fish that 
at last it has got as ragged and full of scratches as it 
could hold; some day, however, one of the big ones 
has given a mighty gulp, and once let its jaws close 
over the head of the little one, and we see it no more”. 
In the fisherman’s boat the Conger struggles violently 
to escape; it bites at everything within its reach, and 
with the aid of its prehensile tail casts itself overboard, 
unless stunned in time. Even when cut off from the 
body, the head of the Conger has been known to in- 
flict a dangerous bite. 
In Scandinavian waters the Conger, on account of 
its small numbers, cannot repay any special fishery. 
Where it is more plentiful, large quantities are taken 
on hand-lines and long-lines; but its flesh is inferior 
and full of bones. It is eaten boiled, or the flesh is 
dried and ground to a powder, which is used as an 
ingredient in soups. The tough skin may be employed 
in the same manner as that of the common Eel. 
