CLUPEA HARENGIS. 24l 



draw the humours from the head, and to mitigate febrile 

 heat. Herring" pickle was employed as a lavement in dropsy 

 and pains in the hips — and externally to purify foetid ulcers, 

 to dissipate scrofulous swellings, and to arrest the progress 

 of a gangrene. It is also said to be beneficial in cynanche 

 tonsilaris, or quinsey of the throat, if the parts affected are 

 anointed with a mixture of this and honey. 



The Dutch herring-fishery commences on the 14th of 

 June, in which no less than a thousand vessels are em- 

 ployed ; these, which are called busses, carry from forty- 

 five to fifty tons, besides two or three small cannon. None 

 of them are allowed to quit their posts without a convoy, 

 unless they carry twenty pieces of cannon collectively, in 

 which case they are permitted to sail in company. Before 

 they proceed on their voyages the owners make a verbal 

 agreement, which carries in it all the force and authority 

 of the most solemn compact. The regulations of the admi- 

 ralty of Holland, with a few variations, are followed by the 

 French and other nations : the principal of which are, that 

 no fisher shall cast his net within one hundred fathoms of 

 another's boat ; that while the nets are cast a lio-ht shall 

 be kept on the stern of each vessel ; that when a boat is 

 obliged by any accident to desist from fishing the light 

 shall be cast into the sea ; and likewise that when the ma- 

 jority of the fleet leaves off" fishing the rest shall be obliged 

 to do the same.* 



* In Panamaquoddy Bay and the neighbourhood vast quantities of her- 

 rings are taken bv scooping them up with hand-nets. The fishing is car- 

 ried on during very dark nights, and often displays the most striking and 

 picturesque appearance to the spectator ashore. The fishermen go in 

 small light boats, each bearing a flaming torch. The boats row with great 

 swiftness through the water, and the herrings, attracted by the glare of the 

 light, crowd after tbe boats in such numbers that those stationed in tbe 

 stern, for this purpose, scoop them up by thousands. The fish frequently 

 throng together with so much eagerness as to throw one another out of the 

 water. — Goodrich. 



it 



