344 
CONGER. 
especially wheii also the fish is in an early stage of growth; 
for fishermen report that this method of deliverance is less 
frequently employed by the older fish. As soon as the restraint 
is felt the revolving motion begins, by which the shorter line 
is twisted into a ball, with a force that is often sufficiently 
strong to wrench the hook from the jaws. It may happen, 
however, that in its repeated turning the body of the fish itself 
has been bound into the same ball with the line, and the 
intention is defeated by the same means that were adopted to 
secure it. 
Nor are these the only occasions in which this singular sort 
of motion is put in force; and it becomes not a little formidable 
if hi ought to act upon the human hand which has found its 
way into the fish’s mouth; of which an instance has been long 
remembered in pei'sonal experience. Fortunately the Conger 
was not large; and it had been left by the tide in a cavity 
beneath a rock, into which there was scarcely room for the 
hand to be introduced, to draw it out. But in attempting this 
the thumb was grasped within the jaws of the fish; on which 
the instinctive motion immediately began, so that the teeth 
were made to act like a saw round the circumference of the 
thumb; and it was only by a sudden and violent jerk that the 
flesh was preserved from severe laceration. 
A fisherman had safely taken a stout Conger into his boat, 
when the fish snapped at and caught his foot within its mouth, 
and sprang overboard, carrying his shoe with it. In another 
instance, where the fish was of large size, the result was rather 
amusing than formidable; but the lesson to be taught is that 
there is danger in incautiously meddling with these fish. A 
man had thrust his foot into the mouth of a Conger that 
shewed little signs of life; when suddenly the jaws grasped it, 
and an active revolving motion began by which he was dashed 
to the ground with considerable violence. Mr. Thompson has 
adduced instances where even the jaws of the separated head 
have closed on and bitten the hand and foot of those who 
have meddled with them; and the continued vitality of this 
fish in all its parts after the head has been cut off is well 
known. But it is even more remarkable that if the brain be 
pierced on a limited portion of the hindward part of the head, 
this fish dies immediately, without a struggle; and in explanation 
