WHEN THE HERRINGS ARE ON THE COASTS. 33 



the winter season in the Forth, hut found no material 

 advantage in so doing. A storm of wind or rain, suc- 

 ceeded by cloudy, calm, or hazy weather, and the wind 

 blowing from the sea, arc considered favourable by the 

 fishermen. During the months of October, November, 

 and December of 1833, the winds continued to blow witli 

 little interruption from the west in strong gales, and the 

 fishermen considered this' the cause why there was no 

 winter herring-fishing that season in the Fortli ; while 

 the prevalence of the same wind on the west coast appeared 

 to have furnished an abundant supply to the Clyde fisher- 

 men. 



While on the subject of the appearance of the her- 

 ring, it may be stated that we have known " the water 

 telescope" to be used by the herring fishermen on the 

 coast of Norway, which, when the surface of the water is 

 muddy or obscured, penetrates several feet, and enables 

 the fishermen more speedily or easily to discover the 

 shoals ; it is of a remarkably simple and cheap construc- 

 tion, and might be usefully employed for similar or other 

 purposes on our coasts, lakes, and rivers. 



