THE BEST BAIT FOR EELS.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 232, 21 February 1885, Page 3

THE BEST BAIT FOR EELS.

pThere was a nice picnic the other day, •which was- attended, by a goodly sprinkling .. of- ladies, and, of course, among the male sex there was a good-looking clergyman. Clergyman are. indispensable at a picnic, for, an case of* f orgetfulrfess on the part of the pr,ovidore, they are always, ready with cork--scifews. The weather. was warm, .and the -^ gentleman seized the first opportunity that itself to adjourn to an adjacent creek for a dip. But hardly had the rev. .gentleman got into the water . when he uttered a yell of fright, and was observed by • ■ the spectators to be engaged in a desperate struggle with, some piscatorial monster, which; proved to be a full-grown eel that had fastened on to — well, never mind the * precise spot ; suffice it to say that he wrestled withSffthe demon, and shook him off. The important fact, however, lies in the sequel. It is now reported that the intellectual giants of a .certain congregation, following up the xecent'scientifiq^xvestigations of Mr Pond, and theihteresting researches regarding the . ■ '• ,#

habits of the water-flea 3 propose at their next meeting to 'discuss the question — " Is uncooked rice a good bait for eels ?" I — and, of course, that means the scientific world in general — await the result with breathless suspense.