DIFFEKENT MODES OF FISHING THE HERRING. 109 



ceeding round the semicircle shooting the net. When the 

 rope is fully out, or extended from the shore, the man on 

 land shows a light ; and when the bag or centre of the 

 net is thrown overboard, a light is shown in the boat. 

 The boat then proceeds round to the shore, when the 

 rope in the boat, on its coming to land, is taken on shore, 

 and the net is drawn to land by four men at each rope ; 

 indeed, the operation is similar to the common mode of 

 seining salmon in this country. Upwards of 300 barrels 

 of herrings have been taken in this way by one draught 

 of the net. These spring herrings being always of an 

 inferior quality, are smoked or used fresh. The other 

 method is practised from September till the winter sets 

 in, and is similar to the common mode of fishing her- 

 rings in this country in open boats ; these herrings being 

 better than the spring-caught herrings, are salted and 

 barrelled. 



8. GULF OF BOTHNIA. 



The inhabitants of Eussian Finland fish the small 

 herring called strdmUng in spring and harvest, generally 

 with seine-nets. In winter, however, one method used 

 by them deserves notice from its novelty and ingenuit3^ 

 When the gulf is frozen over, and no other mode of fishing 

 can be adopted, they break a circle of holes at the dis- 

 tance of eight or ten feet from each other, and by means 

 of a boat-hook, or small spar, they carry round ropes at- 

 tached to the ends of the net, and thus form a circle with 

 the net in the water under the ice, and drag it out at a 

 large hole at one side. By this mode they frequently take 

 considerable quantities of herrings as well as other fishes. 



