42 THE HERRING FISHERIES. 



Experienced fishermen are usually able to shoot their 

 "nets" at the right time and place, and they can even 

 sight and fix the spot for operations at a distance, as the 

 schools of herring will often throw an oily phosphorescent 

 gleam along the surface of the water. There are other 

 indications as to the presence of herring, and often enough 

 the nets are shot at a venture. Some Norwegian fisher- 

 men use water-glasses in their coast fisheries; this is a 

 simple instrument that enables them to see a long way 

 into the depths, and is probably only a practical aid at 

 such places as the fjords or inshore fisheries. When the 

 train of nets has been cast into the sea by being paid over 

 the stern of the boat as " she " is rowed slowly from the 

 starting-point, then a great perforated wall is left in an 

 upright position on which the shoals will strike in their 

 onward progress, and thus be taken prisoners. 



The beautiful tinted silver rays produced as the herrings 

 are emptied into the boats baffles all description, but the 

 curing-yards are now the only thoughts for the fishermen 

 with their silver treasures, for this may be the last haul for 

 the season, and, as we have been there already, we may 

 now take leave of the " Herring Fisheries," and, as we say 

 good-bye, we wonderingly inquire, if all the herring-nets 

 in the world were joined together, where would they 

 reach ? 



"WHO CAN TELL?" 



