PREFACE. vii 



will be found to be those of omission rather than state- 

 ments unsupported by fact. It has been my object to 

 give within moderate compass an accurate sketch of the 

 recognized methods by which our markets are supplied 

 with sea fish (with the exception of shell-fish, which are 

 only incidentally noticed), and of the general condition 

 of the various fisheries at as late a period as the cha- 

 racter and arrangement of the work permitted. Early 

 acquaintance with many parts of the subject has mate- 

 rially aided me in the task ; for it is not generally easy 

 to obtain even a simple statement of facts from many 

 of the best-intentioned fishermen ; and without some 

 practical knowledge of the fisheries the value of the 

 often contradictory information given by those who are 

 engaged in them cannot be properly estimated. 



In the illustrations to this work I have endeavoured 

 to represent the various minute details which, often 

 trifling in themselves, are characteristic of the fishing 

 boats and gear of particular parts of the coast ; and to 

 ensure as much accuracy as possible the drawings have 

 in all cases been made on the wood or copper by 

 myself. The engraving has been in the skilful hands 

 of Mr. WilHam Dickes and Mr. W. J. Smyth; and, 

 considering the technical character of the subjects, I 

 have good reason to congratulate myself on the result 

 of the care they have bestowed on the work. 



I should add that as most of the engravings were 

 finished before the issue of the present regulations for 



