FISHES. 



Sprat Boat, fishing off Purfleet, on the Thames. 



The Sprat is about six inches long, and above one inch thick. It is caught in the Forth, near Edinburg, 

 and on the eastern coast of Ireland. It is also found, in large shoals, on the Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, and 

 Essex coasts of England. In summer, this fish inhabits the deep water, and is then in roe. It is in 

 highest condition at the close of the season for fresh Herrings, and more, perhaps, are consumed of this 

 species of fish, than of any other, the quality and flavor of the flesh being universally relished. It is 

 also used as a manure, to the extent of several thousand tons, yearly. 



The fishing season commences in November, and the foggy nights of this month are esteemed most pro- 

 pitious to the fishermen. The finest fish are caught in the same manner as mackerel ; but the largest 

 quantities are taken by " stow-boats," manned with five or six persons. The meshes of the nets employed 

 by these boats are so minute that water alone will pass through. Hence immense numbers of small fry, 

 of every species, are caught with the Sprats, and by consequence, it is said, turbots, brills, soles, &c, once 

 abundant on these coasts, have become scarce. 



The stow-boat owners are usually joint proprietors ; the principal owner holding three shares, and there- 

 fore bound to keep the boat, nets, and other appliances in repair, and the others possessing shares accord- 

 ing to their means. 



The Sea Worm has a slender body, with double fins covering the gills, thirty spines, and armed exter- 

 nally with five teeth-like bones. 



(Sm 



Sprat. 



Sea Worm. 



