136 WEST COAST FISHERIES. 



to be full of these readily captured multitudes. When these 

 are scarce, then the stomachs of the " insectivorous " fishes are 

 supplied more promiscuously. They then separate and hunt 

 about with much energy, for they may contain the small 

 Helcions from the fronds of the tangle, alongside Crustacea 

 and moUusca from deeper water and inshore. They are not so 

 well fed when this is the case, nor are they so plentiful: and 

 we may safely conclude that, when herring shoals are large they 

 have ceased to feed, and are preparing for spawning ; otherwise 

 they separate to hunt for food, and are not then so close to- 

 gether as properly to constitute shoals, although they may yet 

 remain about a given neighbourhood in the so-called gut-poke 

 condition. The haddock fishing, at one time valuable off the 

 mouth of Lochbuie, has not of late years been prosecuted, but 

 whether through the want of attention of the fishermen, or the 

 absence of this fish, always somewhat erratic on the West of 

 Scotland, we are unable to suggest. Their floating ova was 

 present in quantity, so that they probably only shifted their 

 ground, perhaps from the pressure of the spawning cod-fish. 

 The line fishery Avas not so harassed by dog-lish as is frequently 

 the case, and we attributed their immunity to the net fishing 

 alongside, these fish having a wholesome dislike to nets. This 

 fact might be made use of in the Outer Hebrides, where nets 

 have not yet taken a prominent place, and yet where dog-fish 

 make great havoc amongst the cod and ling, spoiling for the 

 market those they do not clean to the bones. 



The coast on this side of Mull is very rich in most classes of 

 shellfish, and the neighbouring Loch Spelvie could readily 

 supply a great quantity of mussels with very little labour and 

 attention. The mussels of Loch Spelvie are especially good 

 and rich, and its native oyster is also comparable to most in the 

 West of Scotland. " Spout-fish," or Solen, are obtainable in 

 fair numbers, and the coast generally is rich in what may be 

 termed the ordinary wealth of the sea. It would be useful to 

 investigate the reasons for the extremely backward state of the 

 native fishing industry in such a good position. Mr Maclaine 

 of Lochbuie is himself an enthusiastic fish-culturist, and willing 

 to give every facility for the prosecution of the fishing trade. 

 He himself has cultivated the Salmonidse to much advantage, 

 and his net fisheries are the most valuable in the island. It is 

 probable that most of those who are able to prosecute the sea- 

 fishing are of late wholly absorbed in land questions, that 

 can benefit them little in such a district, and under present 

 conditions. 



The swift currents of Mull alter the sea-bottom to some extent 

 even at considerable depths, and may in consequence have 

 injured the grounds frequented by certain fishes at certain 



