Part 28 (1/2)
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CHUB.]
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CHAR.]
THE CHUB.--This fish takes its name from its head, not only in England, but in other countries. It is a river-fish, and resembles the carp, but is somewhat longer. Its flesh is not in much esteem, being coa.r.s.e, and, when out of season, full of small hairy bones. The head and throat are the best parts. The roe is also good.
THE CHAR.--This is one of the most delicious of fish, being esteemed by some superior to the salmon. It is an inhabitant of the deep lakes of mountainous countries. Its flesh is rich and red, and full of fat. The largest and best kind is found in the lakes of Westmoreland, and, as it is considered a rarity, it is often potted and preserved.
THE DACE, OR DARE.--This fish is gregarious, and is seldom above ten inches long; although, according to Linnaeus, it grows a foot and a half in length. Its haunts are in deep water, near piles of bridges, where the stream is gentle, over gravelly, sandy, or clayey bottoms; deep holes that are shaded, water-lily leaves, and under the foam caused by an eddy. In the warm months they are to be found in shoals on the shallows near to streams.
They are in season about the end of April, and gradually improve till February, when they attain their highest condition. In that month, when just taken, scotched (crimped), and broiled, they are said to be more palatable than a fresh herring.
THE ROACH.--This fish is found throughout Europe, and the western parts of Asia, in deep still rivers, of which it is an inhabitant. It is rarely more than a pound and a half in weight, and is in season from September till March. It is plentiful in England, and the finest are caught in the Thames. The proverb, ”as sound as a roach,” is derived from the French name of this fish being _roche_, which also means rock.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE DACE.]
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE ROACH.]
TO DRESS CRAB.
244. INGREDIENTS.--1 crab, 2 tablespoonfuls of vinegar, 1 ditto of oil; salt, white pepper, and cayenne, to taste.
_Mode_.--Empty the sh.e.l.ls, and thoroughly mix the meat with the above ingredients, and put it in the large sh.e.l.l. Garnish with slices of cut lemon and parsley. The quant.i.ty of oil may be increased when it is much liked. (See Coloured Plate I.)
_Average cost_, from 10d. to 2s.
_Seasonable_ all the year; but not so good in May, June, and July.
_Sufficient_ for 3 persons.
TO CHOOSE CRAB.--The middle-sized crab is the best; and the crab, like the lobster, should be judged by its weight; for if light, it is watery.
HOT CRAB.
245. INGREDIENTS.--1 crab, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste, 3 oz. of b.u.t.ter, 1/4 lb. of bread crumbs, 3 tablespoonfuls of vinegar.
_Mode_.--After having boiled the crab, pick the meat out from the sh.e.l.ls, and mix with it the nutmeg and seasoning. Cut up the b.u.t.ter in small pieces, and add the bread crumbs and vinegar. Mix altogether, put the whole in the large sh.e.l.l, and brown before the fire or with a salamander.
_Time_.--1 hour. _Average cost_, from 10d. to 2s.
_Seasonable_ all the year; but not so good in May, June, and July.
_Sufficient_ for 3 persons.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CRAB.]
THE CRAB TRIBE.--The whole of this tribe of animals have the body covered with a hard and strong sh.e.l.l, and they live chiefly in the sea. Some, however, inhabit fresh waters, and a few live upon land. They feed variously, on aquatic or marine plants, small fish, molluscae, or dead bodies. The _black-clawed_ species is found on the rocky coasts of both Europe and India, and is the same that is introduced to our tables, being much more highly esteemed as a food than many others of the tribe.
The most remarkable feature in their history, is the changing of their sh.e.l.ls, and the reproduction of their broken claws. The former occurs once a year, usually between Christmas and Easter, when the crabs retire to cavities in the rocks, or conceal themselves under great stones. Fishermen say that they will live confined in a pot or basket for several months together, without any other food than what is collected from the sea-water; and that, even in this situation, they will not decrease in weight.
The _hermit_ crab is another of the species, and has the peculiarity of taking possession of the deserted sh.e.l.l of some other animal, as it has none of its own. This circ.u.mstance was known to the ancients, and is alluded to in the following lines from Oppian:-- The hermit fish, unarm'd by Nature, left Helpless and weak, grow strong by harmless theft.