THE PILCHARD— THE GOLDEN-FISH. 119 



a little on the subject, in order to give a comprehensive view of 

 so interesting a portion of natural history. From what has been 

 said it will be readily perceived that the herring is an important 

 article in the commercial, as well as a curious one in the natural 

 system. The advantages that may be drawn from this small 

 fish, are indeed incalculable, for the herring trade can be limited 

 only by the consumption of the commodity, and the number of 

 hands employed in the business. The article itself is absolutely 

 inexhaustible. 



THE PILCHARD 



Bears so great a resemblance to the herring, that it appears 

 only to be a different species of the same fish. Its history is 

 also as nearly as possible the same. Instead therefore of enter- 

 ing into any detail on the subject, we shall only offer, for con- 

 sideration, a circumstance, which, by showing what astonishing 

 numbers are sometimes taken on the coast of Cornwall at one 

 single shooting of the nets, will give an idea of the immense 

 profits resulting from these fisheries. 



Mr. Pennant was assured by Dr. Borlase, that on the 5th of 

 October, 1767, there was at one time inclosed, and caught in 

 St. Anne's Bay, seven thousand hogsheads of pilchards, each 

 hogshead containing thirty-five thousand fishes. This circum- 

 stance is well worth notice : it tends to show the vast importance 

 of those animals of the deep in the system of economy and com- 

 merce, to develope the vast and complicated plan of the Author 

 of Nature, and to display his infinite wisdom and diffusive good- 

 ness, in causing both land and sea to contribute to the support 

 of animal existence, and the comforts of human life. 



Having been engaged in an important view of matters of ex- 

 tensive utility, we shall conclude this article with an exhibition 

 of an interesting object of curiosity. In the various depart- 

 ments of Nature, we see usefulness and beauty blended with 

 endless diversity, and forming innumerable combinations.. 



THE GOLDEN-FISH 



Is a native of China, but is now completely naturalized in 

 England, where it thrives and breeds as well as if it were indi- 

 genous. These beautiful fishes were little known in that country 

 previous to A. D. 1723, when a number of them were imported 

 and circulated in the vicinity of London, from whence they have 

 been disseminated into every part of the kingdom. 



The goldfish grows to the length of eight inches, and in its 

 form greatly resembles the carp. The colours vary considerably 

 in the individuals of this species. Some are marked with fine 

 blue, brown, or silver ; but a resplendent gold colour is gene- 



