302 CLUPEID^. 



The common herring,* generally called in Canada 

 the Gulf Herring and Labrador Herring, constitutes one 

 of the most important articles of commerce in the 

 country, and therefore demands a passing notice, though 

 not included in the category of either game or fresh- 

 water fish. They generally appear on the coast in 

 October, at which time they leave the depths of the 

 northern seas, in large shoals, for the purpose of de- 

 positing their spawn ; the increased temperature obtained 

 in the shallower waters being a necessary condition to its 

 coming to maturity. These shoals are often miles in 

 extent, and from two to three feet in depth. Having 

 spawned, they retire to deep water again, and the fishing 

 ends for the season. 



For the encouragement and development of the 

 herring and other fisheries, Canadian owners of Canadian 

 built vessels employed therein, are, under certain other 

 conditions, entitled to a bounty of so many dollars a 

 month per ton. 



The trade in these fish is immense, but might be 

 even more considerable than it is, were greater care 

 exercised in their curing than is sometimes the 

 case. 



The common Pike of Canada (Esox Lucius) is pro- 



* Mareni/un marina. 



