338 HISTORY OF THE 



abounds in all the varieties of white fifh, of which, 

 from 25 to 30,000 are taken annually by the natives, 

 befides thofe caught by ftrangers. 



A chain of fmall banks ftretches along the eaft 

 fide of the Lewis, from three to fix miles off 

 the fliore, and as this fifhing is ftationary or fixed, 

 and fo near the land, it is carried on by the natives 

 both in fummer and winter. 



The tenants *, who live near the banks, go out 

 in the evening in ftout boats, with 7 men each, and 

 fet their nets with buoys, ufing worms and fmall filh 

 for bait. Next morning they take up their lines. 

 From 20 to 30 ling is reckoned a good night's fifh- 

 ing, though fometimes they get 40 or 50. The fifli 

 are immediately fplit, wafhed, and faked in a pile, 

 where, in winter, they lie with the pickle draining 

 from them till the fummer, when they are fpread on 

 the fhores in dry weather. In Augufh they are 

 carried to the warehoufes in Stronaway, where they 

 remain until they are fhipped. .Some people have 

 cured their fun in large tons or hogfheads, but this 

 gives a bend to the filh, which fpoils its jfhape, and 

 ought to be avoided, as the fifhmongers are nice in 

 regard to the fhape and colour. Great care fhould 

 alfo be taken to give a due proportion of fait, and 

 to have the fifh thoroughly dried, as otherwife they 

 are apt to fpoil. In the warehoufes they (hould be 

 well fecured from air. The fifh taken in the winter, 

 are poorer and fmaller than thofe taken in fummer. 

 The annual capture, confiding chiefly of ling, 

 amours to 90 tons, and after going through four or 

 five different hands, from the fifher to the merchant, 

 by which the price is confiderably enhanced, it is 

 exported to the Weft Indies, where there is a great 

 demand for white fifh in general, and alfo to Dublin 

 during the time of Lent, at from 22!. to 25!. per 



* From a manufcript account of Lewis, and the flflicries on its 

 coails, by a native of that ifland. 



ton. 



