THE HERRING FISHERIES. 17 



The invention of curing herrings is attributed to one 

 Beukelsz, who died in 1397, an d it is recorded that the 

 Emperor Charles V. paid a royal compliment by visiting 

 his tomb. 



It seems as if the Clupeida family had found out the 

 truth, for some time back, in that term which is so well 

 known, viz. " Amsterdam is built on herring bones." At 

 least the herring fishery of Holland is not what it used to 

 be, principally owing to the scarcity of fish, yet it was 

 Holland who inaugurated and developed this fishery into 

 a system of commerce, though there is good reason for 

 giving equal or even pre-historic precedence to Scotland, 

 who allowed it to decline. 



The Dutch are famed for the scrupulous care in every 

 incident connected with the fishery and curing operations. 

 They have two kinds of fish and two kinds of salt ; this 

 latter commodity is brought from Spain, the barrels must 

 be of a certain kind, the mode of eviscerating must be up 

 to the standard, and from beginning to end every detail 

 must be complied with ere one officer would dare to stamp 

 them as Dutch cured herrings. 



We might notice here that the word " herring " was 

 derived from the German " Heer," an army, in relation to 

 the moving shoals in their progress or migration. 



At Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Carolina and Virginia, 

 and other parts of the coast of America, an extensive 

 herring fishery is followed out, arid the same physical 

 aspects and feeding properties through the rivers and other 

 agencies mark out these grounds as a resort for all kinds 

 offish. 



The season for herring begins in April, when the first 

 " run " arrives, named " Granville fish," from the course 

 they take past that township. The May herring are spent 



