ENGLISH WHITE FISHERIES. 305 



fait enough to make them keep ; after which the/ 

 are taken out and barrelled up, being well preiTed 

 down. 



Mackarel, both frefli and falted, are modly con-i 

 fumed at home, except a fmall quantity that are ex- 

 ported by the Yarmouth and LeftorF merchants. In 

 this refpect they are lefs ufeful as an article or mer- 

 chandife than other fpecies of the gregarious fifb, be- 

 ing very tender and unlit for carriage. 



The ufual weight of mackarel is about 2 pounds, 

 but there was one fold in London, in 1775, thac 

 weighed 5^ pounds. 



During winter a film grows upon the eyes of 

 mackarel; in the fpring they are half blind; and in 

 fummer the tilm is call. 



The form of die mackarel is extremely elegant, 

 and ufually confidered as a model for naval architec- 

 ture. Nothing can exceed its brilliancy when firir 

 taken out of the water, which death impairs, but 

 does not wholly obliterate. The excellency of the 

 tafte and flavour is alfo greatly extinguifhed a few 

 hours after it is taken. 



PILCHARD. The pilchard is lefs than the her- 

 ring, which in other refpects it refembles. It is 

 alfo a fifh of pafiage from the northern latitudes, 

 and the approach of the fhoals is known by nearly 

 the fame figns as thofe that indicate the arrival of 

 the herrings, when the whole country prepare to take 

 the advantage of this treafure, providentially thrown 

 before them. They appear about the middle of July 

 on the Cornifh coaft, and no where elfe in England, 

 where they range between Fowey harbouf and the 

 Scilly iflands till September ; fomctimes a few re- 

 turn after Chrillmas. This fifn, like the herrings, 

 naturally follows the light, a circumilance which 

 greatly facilitates both fijheries. The Dutch bulfes, 

 in the herring tifhtry, have lights at their Herns, 

 which they arc obliged to extinguifh when the ntrrs 

 are hauled in. The benehts derived from the pil- 

 U charj 



