THE HERRING FISHER Y. 23 1 



are salted, chiefly for the use of miners, who seem to prefer 

 salted fish to even the fresh that abound in the finest con- 

 dition in their markets. 



It was formerly supposed that great migrations of mack- 

 erel took place, but it is now believed, as in regard to the 

 herring, that they merely leave the deep water and approach 

 the coast for the purpose of spawning. The mackerel is of 

 less importance than the herring fishery. It is a restless, 

 ever-wandering rover, and unlike the herring in its habits 

 in that respect. It is found in large numbers in the Medi- 

 terranean. 



The Herring fishery affords one of the best illustrations 

 of British enterprize. We must now proceed to the Nor- 

 folk coast, for it is there that this most valuable fish is found 

 in the greatest abundance, perhaps more so than in any other 

 part of the world. The name of the fish is derived from the 

 German heer, "an army," in reference to the vast shoals in 

 which they arrive. The herrings appear on the Norfolk 

 coast in the last week of September for the purpose of 

 spawning, and are then in the best condition to become the 

 food of man. Having fulfilled this obligation of nature, they 

 return to their former haunts about the commencement of 

 December. A few, however, may be found at other periods 

 of the year, particularly about midsummer; and, although 

 small, they are much esteemed for their delicate flavor. 

 The Yarmouth herring has less oil than the Scotch herring, 

 but is unrivalled in point of quality. It seldom measures 

 more than fourteen inches in length, in girth six inches and 

 a half, and it weighs about nine ounces. The vessels em- 

 ployed by Yarmouth in this fishery are usually decked boats, 

 of from forty to fifty tons burthen, and carrying a crew of 

 ten men. Besides the boats belonging to the town, there 

 are many others called " cobles," which come from Scar- 

 borough, File}^, and other northern ports. Each fishing- 

 boat is provided with from sixty to one hundred nets, each 



