214 PHYSOSTOMI. 



the conformation of the Scotch coast we observe on the west numerous narrow 

 lochs, whereas on the east we perceive three large firths. From some cause it is 

 evident that the augmented captures of late years have been among fish out at sea, 

 as 60 to 80 miles or more from the coast. 



The Yarmouth herring fishing in 1881 commenced June 16th, but the fishing 

 there and at Lowestoft generally extends from October to December 16th, during 

 which period nearly 218 millions of fish were delivered at the wharves, which at 

 the wholesale price of £15 a last, shows a total of £250,000. Along the Devon- 

 shire coast in 1880 this fishing commenced about November 13th, and a fortnight 

 earlier than in 1879 (as was likewise the mackerel fishery). 



In Devonshire and Cornwall there are two annual migrations of herring. The 

 first, or large herring, with undeveloped roe, matties, approach the coast in May or 

 June, a few being secured in the mackerel nets, while some continue to be so taken 

 until the mackerel fishery ceases, about July. About the same time, May or June, 

 quantities pass up St. George's Channel to the Irish Sea, and are supposed by 

 fishermen to remain in deep water. In June or July they proceed in a northerly 

 direction, very few remaining off Cornwall, and do not return there until October 

 or November, or even as late as December, their migration towards the coast 

 occurring especially if the weather is fine. Should a storm arise they at once 

 retire to the deep and do not reappear off the coast until fine weather has 

 recommenced. By February or March they become " shotten," poor and thin. 

 Besides these large herrings there is a migration of the smaller ones early in 

 November which, as Mr. Dunn has observed in Cornwall, migrate to the west at 

 the extreme northern extremity of the county. Various schools pass by Port 

 Isaac, New Quay, St. Ives, around Land's End, and eastwards into Mount's Bay 

 or by Falmouth and Mevagissey, finally stopping at Bigsbury Bay, the bottom of 

 which is rocky, uneven, and covered with flexible corals (Gorgonia), and here they 

 congregate until the January spawning season. 



Means of capture. — For the purpose of indicating where the shoals of herring 

 are the presence of whales or flocks of sea birds are often useful, but if no such 

 indications are present the nets are frequently shot at a venture. Formerly it was 

 the invariable custom to cast their nets by night for fear of scaring the fish, but 

 now this rule is being broken by some vessels. On very dark nights the 

 phosphorescence of a shoal if near can be readily perceived, in fact off the east 

 coast the majority of fishermen assert that they always wait until " the flame " 

 is visible, and consider that they are able to tell the difference between " full " and 

 " shotten " fish, a shoal of the former swimming close together in a compact body, 

 whereas in the latter the individual fish are constantly dashing about. In some 

 places the shad is termed the damon herring, and popularly believed to lead the 

 shoals. 



In fishing for herrings a number of drift nets are joined together and these are 

 termed a " fleet," the length of each being about 20 yards, while from 101 to 181 

 comprise a fleet, the length of which off the east coast varies from 1^ to 2 miles. 

 The Scotch fleet consists of 48 pieces, each 40 yards long. They are made of cotton, 

 which is found much more destructive than hemp which was formerly employed. 

 The mesh should be of sufficient size to allow the herring to obtain entrance for 

 its head as far as its gills. During the autumnal herring season it has been 

 computed that there are frequently from 8000 to 10,000 miles of nets in the 

 North Sea at one time. In 1809 it was enacted that the size of the mesh should 

 be 1 inch from knot to knot or 4 inches all round ; and in 1839 France signed a 

 convention with Great Britain constituting it the law for both countries ; this was 

 abrogated in 1864, and in 1868 the regulation was repealed. Since then the 

 fishermen have reduced the size, and off the east coast the mesh has become from 

 40 to 44 to the yard, catching large fish by the snout but allowing them to drop 

 out and be lost. 



Shoals of herrings have occasionally been met with of such considerable size 

 that they have broken the warp rope of the nets, and the whole of the gear has 

 been carried to the bottom. 



As herrings are caught at sea they are put into the hold and mixed with salt : 



