The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-07
The Mackerel.

The mackerel, which commercially
ranks next to TIE cod among salt water
fishes, is also partial to a cool home,
| though it is found somewhat further
south than the cod. Like the last
named fish, it seeks very cold water in
which to spawn, preferring that of
which the temperature is but little above
the freezing point. Instead of enjoying
cold water all the year round. however,
as the cod seems to do, there is pos
sibility that the mackerel hibernates.
Seeking a soft, muddy or sandy bed at
the approach of winter, it buries itself
therein, first drawing scale or film
over each eye. Whether this film is an
apology for night cap, or result ola
dropping of the eyelid through extreme
drowsiness, or due to providential de-
sign, or development according to en-
vironment, a la Darwin, is yet 10 be de-
cided; but the existence of such q COW
ering to the eye during Information has
been proved by examination of mackerel
which have been dragged from their
comfortable couches by the dredges of
intrusive scientists. tits not impossible
that it may yet be discovered chat the
film is the result of disease, and that the
muddy bottom is resorted to. not as
winter quarters, but as hospital where
the " earth-cure "is practiced as a spe-
cialty. Whether sick or only sleepy, how
ever, the mackerel has an intense aver
sion to cold bed, so in selecting rest
ing-place he avoids ground over which
salt ice is likely to drift, and drizzle its
chilling water downward. How the
fish arrives at certainties or probabili-
ties on the subject is something that no
fellow not a mackerel can find out, but
the dredge has never found one oil these
fish in localities where salt ice melts.
The mackerel is quite sociable fish
among those of its own blood, moving
always in great families or schools.
When it comes inshore from the deep
sea it is always with an innumerable
company, which seems to move with
sort of regimental front, and wheeling
from left to right, the point d'appui be-
ing that portion of the shore, naturally
the southernmost that it frequents,
where earliest in the season the fresh
water fish return to their native streams.
The mackerel's shoreward movements
are not always due to its own hunger,
but frequently to that of the funny and
other predaceous fish which are fond OF
fresh mackerel. The discreetness of the
fish under such circumstances is highly
praised by scientists, and is cheerfully
recognized by the honest fishermen, who
welcome the fugitives heartily upon
their arrival, and care for them so effect
lively that when next the tooth of the
totmentor threatens them it will be un-
felt and uncared for. The means of
welcoming the mackerel are several
seines, nets, weirs, and pounds being as
effective as the hook. The success of
the last-named implement is due to
the plebian habits of the fish while din.
ing. It seldom bites, nor does it pro-
long the enjoyment of choice delicacy
by nibbling, but it vulgarly swallow.
at a single gulp whatever is set before its
Selecting its food by appearance instead
of flavor. it is not wonderful that 81
Of red flannel, bright "spoon," or
even a bare fish-hook may seem worth
taking. What disappointed fishermen
on "the Banks" are pleased to term
the (quallfed) fastidiousness of the fish
seems to contradict this statement OF
the mackerel's gustatory habits, but the
apparent capriciousness with which
these fish appear and disappear at a
vessels side is due to temperature in
stead of taste. Lying at depth of per-
haps two hundred fathoms, in cool
water, the fish hurry to the surface for
the chopped bait which fishermen throw
overheard to attract them; the surface
water, however, is generally too warm
to he endured for more than a few mo-
ments, and then hurry back home as
soon as comfort becomes more desirable
than food.
When the mackerel disappear-which
they do frequently during the season,
and afterward for long time-they
seek for depth rather than distance.
They remain off the coast, but far this
side of the Gulf Stream. throughout the
warm season, but in water sufficiently
deep to meet their views in point of tenn
perature. They often lie in vast schools
within mile or less of equally numer-
Gus herring, for which fish the mackerel
has yearEing throat; but while the
mackerel are two hundred faith: ms
down, the herrinqs are within fifteen or
twenty fathoms OF the surface. Between
these two zones, a distance of only a
few seconds, mackerel time, the water
is too warm to permit even hungry
mackerel to enjoy the pleasures of the
chase. so these lifelong enemies remain
in sight Of each other in q state OF truce
until the coming of cold weather.
Harper's Magazine.