210 
St RMULLET. 
although it is the habit of this fish to keep close to the 
bottom, the change of place is effected by swimming near the 
surface over a large depth of water, by doing which it often 
becomes entangled m the drift-nets set at a distance from land 
for the spring approach of Mackerel. 
The trammel-net, which is chiefly used to take this fish 
near the coast, is formed of three parallel nets set to one 
head and foot line, with meshes of some considerable difference 
of dimensions in the separate nets, the middle one having 
the distance from knot to knot just sufficiently large to 
receive the head and forward part of the fish, while the 
outermost net on either side, which hangs a little more loosely, 
has its meshes sufficiently large to allow of the passage of 
the body of the fish until it has felt itself arrested in its 
course: at which time its struggles call the larger meshes 
into action to form a bag or entanglement, by wliich the 
captive fish is prevented from falling out and being lost 
when the net is drawn to the surface. This net is set in 
places known to fishermen, where the ground is oozy, with 
scattered stones; and it is proper that the foot-rope should 
rest on the ground, for the fish is disposed to find its way 
under it in seeking its food, wliich is the smaller kinds of 
crustaceous animals and worms, which rest on the ground; 
with perhaps sea-weeds. Its stomach is thick and firm, and I 
have also found in it foagments of a shell resembling the class 
termed a Venus; but it was an opinion of ancient times that 
this fish fed on, and even gave a preference to, every foul 
and loathsome substance, among which putrid fishes, and even 
the human carcass, stood pre-eminent. Oppian says, — 
“Of all the kinds that range the spacious flood, 
Luscious Surmullets seek the coarsest food. 
In beds of slime they roll with wanton ease, 
And cull the grossest ordure of the seas; 
But shipwrecked men, (detested sights of woe,) 
The richest course of luxury bestow; 
Whatever baits a nauseous smell diffuse 
With sure success commend their constant use. 
Swine and Surmullets seem alike inclined. 
Mean in their choice, their palates mircflned; 
But none that yield a more delicious food 
Or haunt the forest or divide the flood.” 
In proof of their alleged fondnejs for human flesh it has 
