Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/45

Rh than this, the paintings which so copiously illustrate the manners of the ancient Egyptians, combine with the Holy Scriptures, to prove the fact that fish, both in a fresh and salted state, formed a large part of the food of that industrious people. "We remember," said the murmuring children of Israel, "the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely."

Among all nations, savage and civilized, the taking of Fishes has formed a prominent part of the occupation of man, and various stratagems and contrivances have been invented to facilitate the pursuit. The principal of these are the net, the spear, and the hook.

The first of these implements attacks the finny tenants of the waters in large numbers, and is rendered particularly effective