HERRING. 101 



that fish, and to which place the individual fishes from these 

 spawn acquired a habitude, and returned each year, bringing 

 with them probably a great many other individuals of the 

 same species: a circumstance which seems to countenance the 

 supposition we have already made, and might be followed 

 elsewhere with advantage. 



The appetite of the Herring is ready to exercise itself on 

 a large variety of food; but it may be questioned whether in 

 this, as in other instances, its eagerness or indifference as 

 regards particular sorts may not be influenced by the state ol 

 the constitution in the quiescence or development of the milt 

 and roe. It seems certain that it feeds on entomostraca and 

 the younger or smaller crustaceans, which people the waters 

 in numbers beyond calculation; but it also devours creatures 

 of a larger size, since young fishes of several sorts, with the 

 smaller Launces of the length of a couple of inches, have been 

 found in their stomachs, and even the grains of roe and young 

 examples of their own species. 



That considerable numbers are taken with a rod and line all 

 round our coasts is well known; but although the Herring is 

 said to leap sometimes above the surface after a fly, it is to 

 be doubted whether what is made to imitate a fly on the 

 hook is not regarded by it rather as some young fish; 

 and it is even known to seize the bare hook if made of a 

 white and shining material. Several hundreds of Herrings have 

 been taken at one time in this manner, and a large number of 

 hooks on one line let down into a school have brought up a 

 fish on every hook; but it is said that this manner of fishing 

 has only been successful when employed between sunrise 

 and sunset. A singular instance has been related where there 

 was found in the stomach of a Herring a copper farthing 

 token, in size a little less than a shilling, and marked of the 

 date 1757. As marks of distinction in their actions between 

 the Herring and Pilchard fishermen inform me, that the 

 former seldom springs from the water, or stoits, except when 

 driven or alarmed; but the Pilchard does it often, and appa- 

 rently through wantonness. When alarmed, as they are easily 

 by noise, these fish will rush along to the distance of five or 

 six feet, as marked by the briming; but the Pilchard does 



