iSo THE COMMON HERRING-. 



actly contrived the balance of nature, by giving 

 them innumerable enemies, as always to keep them 

 within proper bounds. 



In the year 1773, the Herrings were in such im- 

 mense shoals on the Scotch coasts for two months, 

 that it appears from tolerably accurate computations, 

 no less than 1650 boat-loads were taken in Loch 

 Terridon every night. These would amount to nearly 

 20,000 barrels. 



They once swarmed so greatly, on the west side 

 of the isle of Skye, that the numbers caught were 

 more than could possibly be carried away. After 

 the boats were all loaded, and the country round 

 was served, the neighbouring farmers made them 

 up into composts, and manured their ground with 

 them in the ensuing season. This shoal continued 

 to frequent the coast for many years, but not always 

 in numbers equal to these *. 



Somewhat more than thirty years ago, the Her- 

 rings came into Loch Urn in such amazing quanti- 

 ties that, from the narrows to the very head, about 

 two miles, it was quite full. So many of them 

 were pushed on shore that the beach for four miles 

 round the head was covered with them, from six to 

 eighteen inches deep : and the ground under water, 

 as far as could be seen when the tide was out, was 

 equally so. So thick and so forcible was the shoal 

 as to carry before it every other kind of fish ; even 

 ground-fish, skate, flounder, &c. were driven on the 



Andmon's Hebrides, 175. 



