f21} THE SPRING HERRING FISHERIES OF NORWAY. 147 
cially towards the south, where they appeared on the entire coast from 
Tananger (west of Stavanger) as far as Cape Lindesnes and remained 
there, although at a considerable distance from the coast, for several 
weeks. During the following years they were very generally observed 
jn the south near EHgersund, Soggendal and Flekkefiord; they were also 
seen along the Bergen coast as well as in the northern district. This 
scattering and the irregularity which these herring exhibited in their 
visits to different points on the coast, are highly characteristic of the 
“new herring.” On the whole they made their appearance in a man- 
ner entirely different from that of the spring herring, and it actually 
seemed as if they did not feel at home anywhere. 
With regard to the number of the “new herring” there was a 
sudden change after the season of 1869-1870. The approach of great 
masses of ‘‘new herring” about New Year, 1870 (which year is termed 
the ‘‘new herring year” by the fishermen) was certainly brought about by 
extraordinary causes (strange to say, unusual masses of herring also 
made their appearance during that year in Bohus-lén). During the 
season of 1870-1871 only small numbers of herring approached the coast, 
and this was also more or less the case during the following years. The 
numbers of ‘new herring,” however, were somewhat larger than ap- 
pears from the reports, for they were near the coast earlier, during the 
spring herring fisheries proper and far into February, all of which has 
been passed by in silence in the reports. 
The most remarkable change, however, was noticed in the quality of 
the ‘“‘new herring.” During the following years they became larger 
and of a more even size, and the number of fish with more fully devel- 
oped roe and milt had inereased considerably. The roe, however, was 
invariably fine grained—not fit for spawning. During this time new 
but smaller schools of the original new herring seem to have ap- 
proached the coast; for quite a number of herring of that king were 
caught. Thus during the season of 1872-’73, the “new herring” 
caught west and north of Bergen were again mixed, as had been the 
case in 1869~70. The average number per standard barrel was, ac- 
cording to the reports of the superintendents, about 730. Later the 
“new herring” in these schools have probably developed in a similar 
manner as the other ‘‘ new herring.” 
Through this development the ‘new herring® became spring her- 
ring and are the very same fish which, duiing the last few years, have 
approached our coasts and have become an object for the fisheries. 
The fishermen very generally maintaiu that the spring herring which 
are caught in our days, are a different kind from the former spring her- 
ring, and mention several features in which they are said to differ. 
Their eggs are said to be smaller than those of the former spring her- 
ring; they are certainly fatter, have finer meat, and thinner bones. 
Some fishermen also say that the shape of the body is comparatively 
higher and shorter, that the head is smaller, and that the eggs are of a 
