318 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



November to July ; and the tusk are only caught on 

 the Atlantic side of the outer islands. Various baits 

 are used; in the Minch nothing has been found so 

 attractive as herrings, whilst outside the islands sand- 

 eels, limpets, small haddocks, and conger, are more or 

 less in favour, and conger is considered especially good 

 for this purpose. Cod are taken on various parts of the 

 coast, and have long been successfully fished, particu- 

 larly on a bank off the Butt of Lewis, and on another 

 laro'e bank in the middle of the Minch. 



The line-fish, excepting a small number cured in 

 j^ickle and barrelled, are shore-cured in the manner we 

 have described as carried out at the Shetlands ; and 

 these dried fish, including a considerable quantity of 

 saithe, are almost all, if not entirely, sent to the home 

 and Irish markets. 



The only other fishery of any importance on the 

 range of coast included in the Stornoway Customs 

 district is that for lobsters. It is not equally successful 

 in all parts, but appears to have been thriving for 

 many years on the western side of Lewis and Harris. 

 The lobsters are purchased in large numbers and taken 

 away to the English markets. 



Crabs are little sought for, but there is some trade in 

 periwinkles, the collection of which provides occupation 

 for those members of the family who do not go away to 

 the other fisheries. Beds of oysters are also found in 

 some of the lochs, and it is not very clear why more 

 attention is not paid to them. 



The fishing boats on this part of the west coast are of 

 the ordinary Scotch type, the larger ones carrying two 

 lugs, and the smaller a single one. Decked craft are 

 not in favour, and although there are sometimes serious 

 losses owing to bad weather, the fisheries are not gene- 



