4 THE HERRING FISHERIES. 



Let us consider first, then, the senses of the herring. 

 They have been the subject of much difference of opinion, 

 as indeed they have been concerning all fish. Yet the 

 organs, though of course very minute, are so distinctly 

 formed that we cannot avoid coming to the conclusion that 

 they were meant to be used. The tongue, for instance, is 

 very small, but there is no doubt about a tongue being 

 there ; and what is a tongue there for if not to be used ? It 

 is true that the senses of taste and smell of some of our fish 

 are not always very correct, especially of -those who prefer 

 the neighbourhood of sewers and drains ; but they are the 

 exceptions which prove the rule. Then, as regards hearing, 

 the balance of evidence seems to be in favour of their being 

 endowed with that sense. We need not question whether 

 they are able to see or not. 



One of the most important points to be ascertained with 

 certainty is what constitutes the chief food of the herring ? 

 There has been much diversity of opinion on this matter ; 

 but it appears to be pretty clear that the herring does 

 not feed upon one kind of food. The preference seems 

 to be for small Crustacea, although worms and the eggs of 

 fishes have been found in their stomachs, and even young 

 herrings. It will thus be seen that the cultivation of crus- 

 tacea has a very important bearing on the prosperity of the 

 fisheries ; for we cannot hope to bring the latter to a high 

 degree of efficiency if the food supply is not promoted in a 

 corresponding degree. It is a noticeable fact that herrings 

 caught in lochs and bays are superior in quality to those 

 caught on the open sea-coast. What is the reason of this ? 

 Is it that the food is more abundant or more suitable ? It 

 is a point worth investigation. 



The next important point to be solved is the settlement 

 of the period of the year when they spawn. On the satis- 



