THE HEHRING, S79 



vigour, and, by impregnation, to replace that immenfe 

 tv^afte, which the exertions ot man, and the rapacitj of 

 iillies, has made of their fpecies. 



The fpawn, after being difcharged by the parent flflies, 

 continues to float on the waves for a conlidsrable part of 

 the Spring. In the beginning of Summer, the young 

 enter upon life, and in June and July are fecn in vaft 

 nuaibers approAchii'g the fhores. They are then about 

 two inches in length, and mod probably feed upon in- 

 ftfts, as thoufauds have been caught a little after that 

 period with the common trout fly. Along the Xorkjhirs 

 coaft, thefe young fifh are cA\&^Jile ; upon that of Scot' 

 land, they obtain the general name of fry, which feems 

 to be applied indil'criminately to the young of all lilli. 

 During winter, it is probable that the young herring re- 

 tire to the north, along with the old. On their appear- 

 ance next fummer, alth )Ugh the ihoals are mad*, up of 

 filh of very different fizes, it does not appear that they 

 are then diftinguifliable from the fiih of greater age. 



The Dutch, who have fet the example to the other na- 

 tions in almofl every thing relating to commercial in- 

 duitry, firft commenced the herring fifliery in 1164 * ; 

 and continued in the exclulive polTeflion of it for feveral 

 centuriesa At length the Englijh, roufed b^ their gains, 

 and jealous of that naval power of which it was the grand 

 fource, endeavoured to participate in this lucrative com- 

 merce, and for that purpofe fought many well difputed 

 battles. The faperior induUry and experience of the 

 Dutch, ahvays have, and probably long will, fecure them 

 the greatell fhare of this trade. The mofl confiderable 

 itations of the Britijh fifhcries are off" the Shetland and 



WeJIern 



* Bnt. Zq»!. Ges. 39, 



