8 IMPOKTANCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF 



in this country), informed him that these herrings which 

 were ready to spawn were sometimes found with young 

 fish in their stomachs ; and that these herrings were 

 called in Scotland " looolfisli." This term is not used in 

 Scotland. It may perhaps mean either full fish or foul 

 fish. The first term may be applied to the herring full 

 of milt or roe ; but the latter term is seldom if ever used 

 by practical men ; and, indeed, is never applicable to the 

 herring in any of its stages, because it is wholesome food 

 though full, and not unwholesome food either spawning 

 or spawned. To prove this, it may be stated that several 

 thousands of barrels of empty herrings are exported and 

 used as food, and found to be perfectly wholesome. 



He states also as his opinion, at page 58, that the 

 herring spawns indiscriminately anywhere, without select- 

 ing any position, even in the middle of the sea (" au milieu 

 de la mer") ; but had Professor Yalenciennes taken the 

 same trouble that others have taken, or had the same 

 opportunities to ascertain the truth as to this operation 

 which so materially interests us, having regard to the 

 preservation of this important fish, he would have found 

 that the herring is extremely select as to the spawning- 

 ground, and does not spawn in the open sea, or " au 

 milieu de la mer." And Professor Valenciennes seems to 

 be not aware that the greatest shoals of herrings come to 

 our shores, and are fished in greatest quantities, in sum- 

 mer and autumn ; for in page 62 of vol. xx. he says, " C'est 

 pendant I'hiver qu'ils apparaissent sur les cotes d'Europe." 

 "It is during the winter that they appear on the coasts 

 of Europe." 



Next, Mr Yarrel, in his excellent " History of British 

 Fishes," is in error where he says — " our common herring- 

 spawns towards the end of October or beginning of No- 



