156 SALMONIDES. 



The laws both in England and Scotland, as they 

 regard the packing and sale, are exceedingly 

 strict, and even vexatious.* Massachusetts has 

 enacted many laws, from time to time, on the 

 same account ; but the Legislature has been par- 

 ticularly distinguished, in imitation of the , moth- 

 er country, for enactments for the preservation 

 of species, as though the race were in danger 

 of being exterminated, unless immediately pro- 

 tected by the conservatory powers of the General 

 Court. 



In Portugal, in order to encourage the rearing 

 of cattle, the law forbids the killing of calves — or 

 the sale of veal ; and further declares that 

 eating eggs, is really detrimental to the raising of 

 poultry ! With a degree of wisdom, worthy of 

 Portugal, the English Parliament ordains that a 

 ship of war shall cruise among the fishermen 

 on the coast of Scotland, to preserve the breed of 

 herring ! The duty of the officers is specially to 

 inspect the nets, and to seize such as have meshes 

 less than one inch square, — the object of the law 

 being intended to allow the little young ones to 

 make their escape ! In the " Philosophical Trans- 

 actions" for 1767, it is clearly stated, that the 

 average number of eggs in a herring, is 36,969. 



* Appetits are half-cured herrings, prepared in France. 

 They are also called bouffees, or swelled herrings. 



