WHEN DO HERRINGS SPAWN? 133 



the contrary, the herring-fishery in America does not 

 begin until April, while in the Firth of Forth it is car- 

 ried on in winter. Again, the American herring is not 

 of the same species as the European. The fact is, recent 

 observation has very clearly proved that the herring is 

 not a migratory fish ; that different species belong to 

 different localities, and that their only movement is one, 

 at certain periods of the year, from the deep waters 

 towards the shore. 



Mr. Bertram is of opinion that the herring exists in 

 distinct races, which arrive at maturity month after 

 month. It is well known, he says, that the herrings 

 taken at Wick in July are quite different from those 

 caught at Dunbar in August or September ; indeed, he 

 goes further, and asserts that even at Wick each month 

 has its changing shoal, and that as one race ripens for 

 capture another disappears, having fulfilled its mission of 

 procreation. It is certain that the herrings of these 

 different seasons vary considerably in size and appear- 

 ance ; and we know that the herrings of different locali- 

 ties are marked by distinctive features. Thus the famous 

 Loch Fyne herring is essentially different in its flavour 

 from that of the Firth of Forth, and those taken in the 

 Firth of Forth differ again in many particulars from those 

 caught off' Yarmouth. 



Much discussion has been suggested by the question, 

 at what periods of the year the herrings spawn. Our 

 limited space prevents us from entering into details ; and, 

 moreover, these would be of little interest to the general 

 reader. It is our business to state the conclusions 

 arrived at by the best authorities ; and, iiow-a days, there 



