in 







GREA T BRITAIN. 167 



rare round Scotland, but recorded as present in the Ork- 

 neys and in Zetland ; Banff; Aberdeen ; in the Moray 

 Firth during July and August, when it is found following 

 the herrings. At Musselburgh one was taken in 1836, and 

 sent to the Edinburgh market, where it appeared to be 

 unknown. In Yorkshire it is resident, but seldom caught. 

 It is occasionally seen on the Dogger Bank, but becomes 

 more plentiful towards the coast of Holland. In February, 

 847, one about 30 inches long was caught off Sherring- 

 ham. It is, however, along the south and south-west coasts 

 of England that this fish most abounds, becoming numerous 

 in Devonshire and common in Cornwall, especially during 

 e autumn and winter months. 



In Ireland it is found all round the coast, but most 

 common on the south. Off the coast of Waterford, on the 

 Nymph Bank, there was formerly a large fishery for hake, 

 which arrived in shoals twice yearly June or the mackerel 

 season, and September or the commencement of the 

 herring season. In 1746, Smith, who wrote the history of 

 the county of Waterford, complained that the fishery was 

 declining. Thompson observed that he had been informed 

 by Mr. Nimmo that upon the Galway coast, commonly in 

 November, four or five men in one boat will take, with 

 hand-lines, from 600 to 700 ; sometimes, but very rarely, 

 1000 are captured, but only when herrings are in the bay. 

 The Bay of Galway, in old maps, is termed the Bay of 

 Hakes. 



The fish frequently attains to 4 feet. Mr. Dunn observes 

 that the largest he has seen was 24 Ib. weight. 



