310 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



sometimes taken at the Shetlands, but there are fewer of 

 these fish than even at the Orkneys. 



There is generally plenty of bait to be procured, 

 although not always of the very best kinds. Buckies or 

 whelks, however, are tolerably abundant, and are caught 

 by the attraction of a cod's head ; very large mussels are 

 obtained at the northern extremity of Lerwick Harbour, 

 a broad, many-toothed grapnel or double rake being 

 used for collecting them ; and, as previously mentioned, 

 young coalfish are commonly used as fish-bait. These 

 fish are taken in vast numbers along the shore by means 

 of a large "taaf" or hoop-net, and sufficient oil is 

 obtained from their livers to make it worth exporting. 

 Besides the fisheries we have noticed, the capture of 

 the leading or caa'ing whale frequently takes place. 

 These animals appear in herds on the coast ; and, when 

 they enter any of the bays, can by a little dexterous 

 manoeuvring be driven on shore and killed. This kind 

 of sport is of course of uncertain occurrence, but it is 

 sufficiently frequent to make it worth while for the 

 fishermen to be always prepared for it. A small herd 

 of these whales was killed near Lerwick when we were 

 there in 1864, and very large captures have sometimes 

 been made. 



Lobster fishing has not been attended with much 

 success at these islands, and the supply of oysters is not 

 sufficiently large to attract much attention. 



There is a great deal in the Shetlanders and their 

 pursuits which at once distinguishes them as a body 

 from all other fishermen of the United Kingdom. 

 Norsemen by descent, they retain all the characteristic 

 daring and powers of endurance which gave their fore- 

 fathers an honourable name in years long gone by. 

 For Arctic work, whether it be whaling or exploration, 



