CLUPEA. 151 



multiply in its characteristic manner, together with 

 its offspring, for twenty years, their united bodies 

 would ten times exceed the bulk of our globe ! 



Although this may be considered a wild calcu- 

 lation, resting, however, on the authority of a for- 

 eign calculator, there is probably a nearer approx- 

 imation to truth, than we are ready, at first view, 

 to admit. 



Herring are certainly anadromous, though their 

 migrations may have been over-rated. Their 

 taking, it is said, the regular circuit of the sea, gives 

 additional interest to their history. One immense 

 army leaves the polar regions, in the spring, equal- 

 ling in extent the whole surface of Great Britain. 



As they advance, squadrons begin to separate 

 from the main body ; these average from four to 

 six miles in breadth, — and in length, cannot be 

 measured by the eye. An astonishing representa- 

 tion arrives at the Shetland Islands, in June. By 

 September, England, Ireland and Scotland, are 

 surrounded by them. From these parts, the forces 

 move southwest, — - cross the atlantic, and make 

 their appearance on the coast of Georgia, about 

 the last of January ; detachments then begin to 

 move eastward, till, ultimately, the whole North 

 American seaboard is lined with them. 



When the length of sea-coast bordering the Unit- 

 ed States is recollected, — about three thousand 



