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 hi 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 

 E. P. Lull, II. S. K, 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 112 o'clock m., 

 their lifting beiu 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 difficulty. 



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 requiriug them to be numbered in cer- 

 tain ways, so that they rnay 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 



