THE SEA FISHERIES 281 



spring : we distinguish this vast body by that name, 

 for the word herring is derived from the German, Herr, ' an 

 army,' to express their numbers. 



" They begin to appear off the Shetland isles in April 

 and May : these are only the forerunners of the grand 

 shoal which comes in June, and their appearance is marked 

 by certain signs, by the number of birds, such as Gannets 

 and others, which follow to prey on them : but when the 

 main body approaches, its breadth and depth is such as to 

 alter the very appearance of the ocean. It is divided into 

 distinct columns of five or six miles in length and three or 

 four in breadth, and they drive the water before them 

 with a kind of rippling : sometimes they sink for the space 

 of ten or fifteen minutes ; then rise again to the surface, 

 and in bright weather reflect a variety of splendid colours, 

 like a field of the most precious gems, in which, or rather 

 in a much more valuable light, should this stupendous 

 gift of Providence be considered by the inhabitants of the 

 British Isles." 



But it is now generally agreed that this is a mistaken 

 idea and that the herring may stay about in the deep 

 off-shore waters not far removed from the region within 

 which they spawn. It seems probable that while many 

 may keep thus within comparatively short distance of 

 the coasts, others may make considerable journeys even 

 out into open ocean waters. It is thought that in adjacent 

 ocean waters they grow faster than near the coasts, 

 and it is possible to trace their movements each year by 

 the rate of growth shown on their scales. 



No fish in the sea are caught in such great numbers as 

 the herring. One boat may catch over 100,000 fish a day 

 and the total catch on such a day for Yarmouth would be 

 30,000,000. 



This great fishery gives employment to an army of 



