MACKAREL. 
73 
of May the Mackarel has become loaded 
spawn, and in the course of the following month they 
shore for the purpose of shedding it. They may 
_ e seen in schools in rapid motion, sinking, and again 
to the surface; and shewing by the liveliness of their 
*^^hat this process of natui’e is one of exquisite enjoyment, 
littl ^ great danger, which they make 
^ effort to avoid. Seans are now brought into action, and 
. s^ppointed, whose station is on some commanding 
^inence, where he watches for the appearance of the school, 
a signal given the fishermen haste to their post and prepare 
act. We shall describe the nature of a sean more at length 
it speak of the Tunny and Pilchard; but for the present 
, sufficient to remark that the sean for Mackarel is 
fath'^*' hundred and fifty fathoms in length, and nine 
at depth at the middle or bunt, and seven fathoms 
ends; these proportions being necessary in order to 
enT'^ being so swept in the action of tucking, as to 
aj, ^ raise the body of fish to the surface. The meshes 
them*° as to prevent the fish from being entangled in 
em. 'p}jg bead-line in buoyed aloft with corks, and the 
down with leads. 1 L’wo boats are employed, of 
’c one carries the sean, which is shot in a circle round 
the fi Vt av.'O me acciii^ Wllicil lo oiiUL iii <*> vih-xa./ 
at 1 * ^^de the other keeps the loose end steady, and by 
ast closing the ends, shuts up the fish as in a pond. 
^ e Mackarel is an active fish, and might effect its escape 
oro the ends of the sean could be brought together, so as 
ti^ ^ ^ °p6ration of tucking, to bring the body of fish within 
reach of baskets, by which they are taken into the boats. 
^ prevent this, therefore, one or two of the men are kept 
j,^P in plunging stones, prepared for the purpose, into 
^ ® opening, by which means the fish are hindered from ad- 
^ ncing^ until the only possible outlet for escape is closed 
^ inst them. This mode of fishing affords an occasion of 
fi h*^ ^®?orest and excitement to a spectator, as well as to the 
rp, ^'^oien, and some remarkable instances in it are recorded. 
? ®oason lasts for about a couple of months, at the end of 
^ the fish have again separated into smaller companies, 
£ , . line and hook remain the only effectual method of 
fishing. 
VOL. n. . 
