A mere index hunter, who held the eel of science by the tail. Index-hunter is a term used mockingly, meaning one who acquires superficial knowledge merely by consulting indexes. The '[holding] the eel of science by the tail' allusion was used in 1728 by Alexander Pope (q.v.).
Ridiculous modes, invented by ignorance, and adopted by folly.
The great Cham of literature. (Samuel Johnson)
There is not room to swing a cat.
A mere index hunter, who held the eel of science by the tail.
False as the fowler's artful snare.