102 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 





about i inch in length ; by October numbers scarcely 

 exceeding 2 inches in length are captured, while others. 

 are 7 or 8 inches in length. Scad about I inch in length 

 are commonly taken from the stomachs of large fish from 

 the end of December to the middle of February. Couch, 

 from these facts, suggested whether they do not breed 

 twice a year ; or perhaps all do not breed at the same time. 

 He also observes that the young have sometimes an 

 unfortunate fate ; coming to the surface to obtain heat, 

 they are huddled together, when guillemots dive down to 

 beneath them, and gulls dart down from above. 



Uses. In West Cornwall and the Scilly Isles they are 

 split and dry-salted ; also in the north of Ireland, where 

 they are known as crake-herrings. 



As food. Pennant says the one 16 inches long, which he 

 had taken in October, was firm and well-tasted, having the 

 flavour of mackerel. It is in best season when it first 

 comes off the coast in April. Generally it is but little 

 esteemed, and is held in no higher estimation in Ireland, 

 according to Thompson ; but Ball states that on the south 

 shore it is much valued by the poor. 



Habitat. This fish has been taken off the coast of 

 Denmark and the west coast of Norway, but is not 

 common in the Baltic ; as we pass further south their 

 numbers increase, while they are very common in the 

 Mediterranean. Found at Madeira, they range to the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and have been brought from the 

 Chinese and Australian seas ; also from Western America, 

 Steindachner having received them from Valparaiso, while 

 others have been obtained on the same coast. 



Very common on all parts of the Cornish coast, dis- 

 appearing in October ; but numbers of the young are taken 

 until spring. It is found all round the coasts of Great 



