100 INTRODrCTION. 



lamented as it regards Ireland. Here it is notorious 

 that there is but a scanty supply for the chief towns, 

 and for the families who are resident near the shores ; 

 while every species of valuable fish is as abundant 

 on the sea-coasts of Ireland as on those of Great Bri- 

 tain, or perhaps more so. Its numerous bays, creeks, 

 inlets, lakes, and rivers swarm with them; it is 

 visited annually by vast shoals of Herrings, and the 

 sea-banks are well stored with Cod, Hake, and Ling, 

 equal in all respects to those caught upon the banks 

 of Newfoundland. With the westerly winds which 

 here generally prevail, to say nothing of steam, the 

 produce of these fisheries might almost always be 

 sent to ready markets in Bristol, Liverpool, Glas- 

 gow, and other great towns in Britain ; yet nothing 

 of the sort has ever been attempted. Several years 

 ago w^e remember, that during our temporary resi- 

 dence in Dublin, a Fish Committee was established, 

 similar to the one above alluded to : the supply 

 was excellent and abundant ; but whether the plan 

 has been continued, we know not. 



These statements are, we trust, sufficient to de- 

 monstrate that much still remains to be done in 

 these countries in this important branch of practical 

 science, and will bespeak attention to a few remarks 

 upon the Breeding and Rearing of Fish, and so aug- 

 menting the supply of this excellent description of 

 food. 



The natural processes of Spawning and Hatching 

 seem now, by careful observation, to be well under- 



