28 3 



ably found on the fish-hook of civilized people, yet I can 

 well conceive that it is possible, where fish is plentiful, to 

 procure a sufficiency even with a hook so clumsy. 



While referring to this fact, it may be not uninteresting 

 to notice the wide distance between civilized and uncivilized 

 life denoted by the barb of the fish-hook. Probably cen- 

 turies of use and observation lay between the first hook 

 and the hook which by an advance of thought was furnished 

 with a barb. 



Line-fishing is carried on to a greater or less extent all 

 round the coasts of the United Kingdom, but the most 

 important fishing ground is found in the North Sea, and it 

 is from this ocean that by far the larger quantity is brought 

 to our markets. 



Not only is Great Britain supplied from the rich harvest 

 which these waters yield, but all the countries bordering on 

 the North Sea draw their fish supply from the same 

 locality, and carry on considerable commerce in the various 

 kinds of fish. 



Taking into account the area of the North Sea, and the 

 number of people supplied with food from it, as well as the 

 great variety of fish found therein, it may be regarded as 

 the most important fishing ground in the world. Taking a 

 line eastward from the Shetland Isles and continuing south- 

 ward to the North Foreland, from shore to shore, whether 

 on its shallows or in its depths, on its even grounds or in its 

 caverns which the fishermen call pits, or holes fish of 

 some kind or other is found in greater or less quantity. 

 The variety consists of cod, ling, haddock, halibut, coal- 

 fish, whiting, skate : these are the principal kinds caught 

 on line, while almost every other kind which supplies 

 the table of rich or poor is caught in the trawl or in the 

 drift-net. 



