BOTTOM-OF-SEA INFLUENCE ON HERRING. 29 



man and half warrior, took a lesson from the herring 

 when, leaving the "briny deep," he went on the 

 war-path, marching, as it occasionally does, in wedge 

 form. About the spawning season the school at 

 times attains such large dimensions as to be known 

 as " herring mountain." They enjoy fine weather as 

 well as other creatures, manifesting their pleasure by 

 sporting about at the surface, and beating the water 

 with their dorsal fins, splashing each other with 

 showers of spray. Fishermen call this " the play of 

 the herring," and consider it a favourable sign for 

 their fishing. Herring very seldom, save in excep- 

 tional circumstances, live in solitude. Swedish fisher- 

 men refer to a variety met with on their coasts, which 

 they call " the wandering herring," the arrival of 

 which is observed with displeasure. It has the repu- 

 tation of being among herrings what the " rogue " is 

 among elephants, it does no good to anybody, but 

 chases better company away. 



