THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING. 



19 



Of these 91,139 people directly employed, 39,2G6 are 

 fishermen ; but if we add those employed indirectly by 

 the money derived from the fishery, namely, the boat- 

 builders, sailmakers, ropemakers, mastmakers, saltmakers, 

 grocers, carters, porters, shipowners, sailors, and other 

 trades, the number will appear incredible to those who 

 have not had an opportunity of closely observing the 

 incalculable benefits accruing to the nation from the 

 prosperous state of such a fishery. Here we see em- 

 ployment to the industrious classes, while they are 

 addiug an abundant supply of cheap and wholesome 

 food for the numerous population of the British Islands, 

 when other animal food is becoming so scarce and 

 expensive. 



The great extent of the commerce that arises from the 

 fisheries may be judged of from the number of ships and 



