178 BRITISH IND USTRIES. 



Board, but the Government brand is entirely dis- 

 regarded on the west coast, and the curers trust to 

 their own names for selling the fish. They allege that 

 the western fish are more delicate than the others, and 

 will not bear the close packing requisite for ensuring 

 the proper weight in each barrel if the brand is desired. 

 The early market, however, is, without doubt, the great 

 object sought ; and the curers will not allow the num- 

 ber of days for the fish to be in pickle, before sending 

 them away, that is insisted on if the brand is to be 

 given. 



The general season for long lining, by which the cod, 

 ling, and tusk are here exclusively taken, is from 

 November to July. Cod and ling the latter being 

 especially abundant are caught on various parts of 

 the coast, and have long been successfully fished ; a 

 bank off the Butt of Lewis, and another large one in 

 the middle of the Minch, being favourite resorts for 

 them. The tusk are chiefly found on the Atlantic 

 side of the outer islands. Shore-curing is carried on 

 here as at the Shetlands, and the beach, in suitable 

 places, may be commonly seen covered with the drying 

 fish during the season. Very little of it goes from 

 here to the foreign market, but a good deal is sent to 

 Ireland. 



There has been a large fishery for lobsters for many 

 years at Bernera, and East and West Tarbert for the 

 English market, and large quantities of periwinkles 

 are collected at the several islands known generally as 

 the Hebrides, and are sent to the same destination. 



I need say but little of the close time which was 



