THE SEA FISHERIES OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 155 
in addition the shore being much more prominent to the eye from the 
vessel, than the vessel from the shore. 
“If the eye on the shore is placed where it can take in a long stretch 
of coast, it will nearly always underestimate the distance of a vessel 
from it. 
“‘Of course, the cupidity of commerce sways the judgments of the best 
people in the direction of their own interests, but I give the results of 
my own experience for what they are worth. 
“The matters stated in your letter also have an effect in the general 
estimate of a distance over the water from the land to a vessel or from 
a vessel to the land. ; 
‘¢ My conclusion is that as a general rule the distances of the land from 
vessels and the distances of vessels from the land are usually underes- 
timated. In one case the eye ignores the nearer part of the distance, 
and in the other the more distant part. 
“In this I am confirmed by the experience and opinion of Commander 
EB. P. Lull, U. S. N., Hydrographic Inspector, United States Coast Sur- 
vey.” 
The season of fishing, too, is also a subject of legislation. The Govern- 
_ ment of Norway determines with great care the time when the nets and 
long-lines shall be set, the introduction of the latter into the water not 
being permitted at the Lofoden Islands fisheries before 12 o’clock m., 
their lifting bein g imperative before noon of the following day. France, 
England, and other nations have made regulations in regard to the 
size of the mesh, specifying the minimum for the beam-trawl and for 
the drift-net, the object being to secure to the young and unmarketa- 
ble fish a chance to escape. This precaution, however, is of little value 
in the case of the beam-trawl, where many fish are taken which would 
have passed through the meshes of an ordinary net without difficuity. 
The distance apart of nets, so as to prevent interference, has also 
been provided for; as also the restriction of particular kinds of fishing 
to certain grounds, in Great Britain trawling being sometimes limited 
to certain areas, to prevent interference in the use of the long-lines. 
Nearly all nations have regulations in regard to the boats and ves- 
sels to be used, among others requiring them to be numbered in cer- 
tain ways, so that they may be more easily designated and identified 
in the event of their attempting to evade the law. 
The preparation of fish for the market has also been the subject of 
legislation. Many nations which pay no particular regard to the times, 
places, and circumstances of the sea fisheries, have considered it expe- 
dient to secure the interest of the purchaser by regulating and restrict- 
ing the mode of preparation and of packing, this being the case, per- 
haps, more especially in Holland and the Scandinavian countries than 
elsewhere. The herring fishery in Holland was formerly kept, in all of 
its stages, under the control of the Government, although of later years 
this is more particularly confined to the packing and inspection. In 
