CHAPTER I. 



IGNORANCE OF HABITS, ETC., OF 

 HERRING. 



HE word Herring is said to be derived 

 from the German " Her," or in 

 modern spelling "Heer," an army, 

 great mimber, multitude; with the 

 idea also of unity ; and this deriva- 

 tion gives a very appropriate descrip- 

 tion of the habit of this fish, for it swims the waters 

 like a vast and well appointed army, in orderly array 

 marching to its destination. 



Although herring have been fished by the Dutch, 

 Scandinavian, English, Scotch, and French for cen- 

 turies, yet the amount of positive knowledge as to its 

 home and life is very meagre. 



The famous Danish ichthyologist, Kroyer, who had 

 for some time made scientific researches in this direc- 



