The case is similar in regard to the sense of smell. Thus, as a
rule, fishes will not touch a bait that is not fresh, neither are they
all caught by one and the same bait, but they are severally caught
by baits suited to their several likings, and these baits they
distinguish by their sense of smell; and, by the way, some fishes
are attracted by malodorous baits, as the saupe, for instance, is
attracted by excrement. Again, a number of fishes live in caves; and
accordingly fishermen, when they want to entice them out, smear the
mouth of a cave with strong-smelling pickles, and the fish are Soon
attracted to the smell. And the eel is caught in a similar way; for
the fisherman lays down an earthen pot that has held pickles, after
inserting a 'weel' in the neck thereof. As a general rule, fishes
are especially attracted by savoury smells. For this reason, fishermen
roast the fleshy parts of the cuttle-fish and use it as bait on
account of its smell, for fish are peculiarly attracted by it; they
also bake the octopus and bait their fish-baskets or weels with it,
entirely, as they say, on account of its smell.