TURBOT. 
16*1 
When fishing', there are always three men in each 
coble, and consequently nine of these lines are 
fastened together and used as one line, extending in 
length nearly three miles, and furnished with 2520 
hooks. An anchor and a buoy are fixed at the first 
end of the line, and one more of each at the end of 
each man’s lines ; in all four anchors, which are 
commonly perforated stones, and four buoys made 
of leather or cork. The line is always laid across 
the current. The tides of flood and ebb continue 
an equal time upon our coast, and, when undis- 
turbed by winds, run each way about six hours. 
They are so rapid that the fishermen can only 
shoot and haul their lines at the turn of the tide ; 
and therefore the lines always remain upon the 
ground about six hours*. The same rapidity of 
tide prevents their using hand-lines ; and there- 
fore two of the people commonly wrap themselves 
in the sail, and sleep while the other keeps a 
strict look-out, for fear of being run down by ships, 
and to observe the weather. For storms often rise 
so suddenly, that it is with extreme difficulty they 
can sometimes escape to the shore, leaving their 
lines behind. 
The coble is twenty feet six inches long, and five 
feet extreme breadth. It is about one ton burthen, 
rowed with three pair of oars, and admirably con- 
In this space a species of worm, the Myxine glutinosa of 
Linnaeus, will frequently penetrate the fish that are on the hooks, 
and entirely devour them, leaving only the skin and bones, 
VOL. II. 
M 
