or HERRINGS. 239 
Some Qbfervations and Reafons given for the courfe of the Herrings, and the variation in 
their Mean -Diftance from’the Sun in different’ months of the year. 
[See Map B, Plate V.] 
January. In this month the herrings are {uppofed to be returning from too warm a cli- 
-mate and the approaching fun, from which they retreat faft. 
Fesruary. The time of fpawning now drawing nigh, the herrings, in this month pafs 
through the gulph ftream, and fall on the coaft of America, im order to depofit their {pawn 
in frefh fhoal water. 
Marcu. Now being the beginning of the time of fpawning, the largeft and ftrongett fith, 
which perhaps are.the oldeft, rufh up into the bays, inlets and frefh water ftreams. 
Aprit. In this month the leffer, weaker, and perhaps younger fifh, rufh up even to the 
heads of {mall ftreams, as far as it is poflible for them to get, and Jay their fpawn. Thefeare 
twice as numerous as the other. 
May. Having been detained by the fpawning feafon, they are overtaken by the fun, and 
nearer to it now than at any other time; they therefore haften out of the rivers in this month, 
and make great way towards the North fea. 
June. Now having by a rapid progrefs pufhed into.a cold climate, on a chilly, icy coaft, 
.and the fun beginning to draw towards the fouth, they whirl round eaftward. 
Jury. The coldnefs of this fea, and the fun’s.declination towards the fouth, now inclines 
‘them that way, in which they fall on the Orkneys, and the fcoole divides. 
Avucust. The grand fcoole being divided, now furround the whole ifland of Great-Bri- 
tain and Ireland, and are caught on every fide. 
Serremser. Having been detained the laft month by their obftruction amongft the iflands, 
and being harraffed by the fifhermen, their mean diftance is now the greateft; they collect 
into one body and haften to the fouthward. 5 
Ocroser. Being now under great way, they leffen their mean diftance, and by the courfe 
which they fteer, which perhaps is inclined more weftward by the current of the trade wind, 
‘they pafs the Atlantic. 
Novemser. Being now more inthe trade, and having approached a warmer climate, 
«their motion is fuppofed to incline more weftward. 
Decemser. ‘he fun now beginning to return, they are fuppofed to incline more north- 
ward; to the place where we began; where they are fuppofed to meet their young fry. 
N° XXXL 
Obfervations on a Solar and a Lunar Echipfe, communicated 
to the Society by M. M. De GRavcuain, Major Ge- 
neral of the French Squadron. 
, ( Tranflated from the French.) 
GENTLEMEN, Newport, sth December, 1780, 
HE ftudy of aftronomy having often occupied my 
leif{ure during the peace, I could not refufe myfelf 
€ven in the midft of the preparations for war, an oppor- 
Piha tunity 
