LAKGER LAUNCE. 
141 
may be said to perform a regular migration. Risso represents 
these fish as appearing thus in the neighbourhood of Nice; 
where they are seen coming in schools from the west in May 
and June in their passage eastward; at which time, although of 
small size, they are fished for with nets, which also take the 
smaller sardines and anchovies ( clupeidce. ) 
With us these Larger Launce are in much more limited 
numbers than the smaller species, and more locally as well as 
sparingly distributed; and I have no knowledge of any district 
in vvhich they form a particular object of interest to fishermen 
except on the smooth sandy shore of St, Ives, on the north coast 
of Cornwall. The net prepared for this fishery is about twenty 
fathoms in length, and of a depth to suit that of the water; 
the meshes being of the size barely to admit the passage of a 
si.xpence; and at the middle of the net, where it is formed into 
a bag, there is what is termed the bunt, which consists of a fine 
sort of canvas. The boat is of good size, and has a crew of 
four men; with another man who stands on the shore and who 
holds fast the warp that is fastened to the end of the net. Tlic 
boat is by this means kept in the proper position with her 
broadside towards the shore, and thus the net is made to form 
a circle, so as to enclo.se the fish within it until it is drawn up or 
tucked into the boat, with the fish collected together in the bag. 
It must be owing to the nature of the ground, which consists of 
the finest sand, with scarcely a stone to interfere with its smooth- 
ness, that it is not usual for other fishes, even of small .size, to 
be enclosed in the net with the Launces; but the numbers of 
the latter taken at one haul will often amount to a couple of 
bushels: and even three bushels have been enclosed in the net 
at one time. 
This fishery usually begins in May, and will continue until 
September, if the more profitable fishery for Pilchards does 
not intervene to put an end to it. The Launces thus caught 
are chiefly employed as bait for the larger fishes; and without 
iliem the hook fishery in that neighbourhood would be greatly 
interfered with, if not destroyed — for in that district there are 
few of the resources which abound in other parts of Cornwall 
to supply fishermen with bait. But these Wide-mouthed Launces 
are also sold foi the tabie, and where they are known they are 
represented as being a great delicacy. This species is mentioned 
