292 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 



1856. — The fecundity of the herring may generally be 

 supposed to make up for the great quantities fished and 

 destroyed by birds and the finny tribes, yet it is unques- 

 tionably a subject of national importance to consider how 

 far the Legislature should farther protect the growth of 

 the herring, and prevent all unnecessary disturbance or 

 destruction of the shoals of herrings, and their fry and 

 spawn. We have stated different causes which may tend 

 to diminish the supply ; and it will be seen by the letter, 

 of which we subjoin a copy, from Mr Cleghorn of Wick, a 

 gentleman who has paid particular attention to the sub- 

 ject,* that there may be reasonable grounds for all due 

 care being taken that legislation shall be applied when 

 necessary. We see almost every session of Parliament 

 new Acts as to the salmon-fisheries, which are compara- 

 tively of much smaller value than the herring-fishery. 



The following is the letter referred to : — 



" Wick, October 7, 1856. 



" Sir, — Since you have taken the herrings in hand, 

 allow me to give you some facts that may be of use to you. 

 There is no subject that more requires elucidation. 



" In the ' Quarterly Journal of Agriculture' and ' High- 

 land and Agricultural Society's Transactions' for June 

 1839, you will find a good paper on the herring by Mr 

 Mitchell of Leith. Please turn it up and read it. The 

 herring is much more local than you fancy. The reason 

 why they are found apparently suddenly making their 

 appearance on the shores is, that they just then have 

 matured their milt and roe, and self-preservation is then 

 lost in their anxiety to preserve the race. Then milters 



* Addressed to the " Times," and reprinted in the " Scotsman," 14th 

 October 1856. 



