SO VOYAGE TO SPITZBEIiGEN. 



In Foula they drive a small stake or dagger in 

 the soil at the top of the precipice, to which they 

 fasten a fishing line. By this slender assistance 

 they descend to the place where the nests are, 

 which they plunder, and ascend again with amaz- 

 ing intrepidity. This manner of fowling was, by 

 the Norwegian law, considered a species of sui- 

 cide. 



What is still more extraordinary, custom has 

 so hardened the Shetlanders against all sense of 

 danger, that they will wander among the rocks 

 at night, in order to surprise the old fowl upon the 

 nest. 



The eggs and young of the black-backed and 

 herring gulls, compose the chief part of the booty 

 acquired in these predatory and desperate at- 

 tempts. 



The seas* abound with cod, turbot, haddock, 

 ling, and two certain species of northern fish, 

 called torsk and opah. Lobsters, crabs, oysters, 

 &c. are also very plentiful. At certain seasons 

 vast shoals of herrings visit these shores. In June 

 they appear in surprising columns, and perform 

 the circuit of the islands ; after which they totally 



• Divilice eis sunt a mari, ab omni parte summa piscandi com~ 

 moditale objecta. Buch. lib. 1. § 50. 



