BOOK I. 



NATUEAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING. 



CHAPTEE I. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURAL AND 

 ECONOMICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING. 



It may be questioned whether any branch of natural 

 history is so important, in a national point of view, as 

 that relating to the herring. An improved knowledge of 

 its habits may enable us to add greatly to the success of 

 the fishery, and therefore to the national resources ; and 

 an inquiry into its economical history, into the causes of 

 the wonderfully rapid and successful progress of the 

 fishery, may teach us how much a nation may gain by 

 judicious care and legislation. 



The importance of the herring as a source of wealth 

 and power has been acknowledged by every maritime 

 nation ; and it may be truly said, in the language of the 

 editor of Baron Cuvier's " Natural History of Fishes,"* 



* " Par son inepuisable fecondite le liareng est line de ces productions 

 naturelles, dont remploi decide de la destinee des empires. La graine 

 du cafeier, la feuille du the, les epices de la Zone Torride, lo ver qui file 

 la sole, ont moius influence sur les richesses des nations que le hareng de 

 I'ocean septentrional. Le luxe ou le caprice dcmandcut les premiers, le 

 hesoin reclame le second. La peclie de ce poisson fait partir, chaque annee, 



A 



