Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/151

Rh and copper-fastened. Great strength is requisite, especially in those employed on the Kentish coast, where the shore is rocky, and heavy shocks are continually sustained, as the boats take the beach.

"It is impossible to see the rich and varied shades of colour of the Mackerel in full perfection, except while it is actually in the water, or immediately after it has been taken. Nothing can be more exquisite than its formation, nothing better calculated to secure ease and rapidity of motion. No bulky mass to impede its natural activity, not an angle to present the slightest obstacle to its motion. Accordingly, the swiftness of the Mackerel is proverbial, outstripping the fastest sailing ship, and even seizing the bait while she is under her greatest way."

A successful mode of capturing Mackerel is called "fishing with the fleet-line," practised in a sailing-boat under a smart breeze. A strong thick line of twenty fathoms or more is provided, and coiled on a reel. In preparing for use, care is necessary to take out "the play," or twist, to avoid tangling afterwards. This is effected by stretching it to its utmost length, and passing a rounded stick along it, one end being left free to untwist. In fishing, the boat must be kept in motion, more or less rapid. In order, therefore, to prevent the line from trailing along the surface, a plummet is attached to its extremity, through the neck of which is passed a piece of whalebone about eight inches long. The object of this is twofold; first, to prevent the whistling noise of the plummet, and secondly, to determine the direction of a finer line, called the snood,