FISHES. 



nmdescrifita ) arrives in very considel^ble slioals, 

 , and in some seasons their number is almost incredi* 

 ble. They are of the size of a large herring, and 

 are principally distinguished from the herring, by a 

 bay or red spot above the gill fins. They are, when 

 caught from March to May, full roed and fat, and 

 are at least as good a fish for the table as the herring* 

 In this season each of these ale wives carries in her 

 mouth an insect, about two inches long, hanging with 

 its back downwards^ and firmly holding itself by its 

 14 legs to the palate. The fishermen call this insect 

 the louse. It is with difficulty that it can be sepa- 

 rated, and perhaps never without injury to the jaws 

 of the fish. The fishermen therefore consider the 

 insect as essential to the life of the fish ; for when it 

 is taken out, and the fish is again thrown into the 

 water, he is incapable of swimming, and soon dies. 

 I endeavoured in a number of instances to preserve 

 both the insect and the fish from injury, but was 

 obliged either to destroy the one or injure the other. 

 I have sometimes succeeded in taking out the insect 

 in a brisk and lively state, and as soon as he was set 

 free from my grasp, he immediately scrambled 

 nimbly back into the mouth of the fish, and resumed 

 his position. In every instance he was disgustingly 

 corpulent, and unpleasant to handle ; and it seemed 

 that whether he have obtained his post by force, or 

 by favour, whether he be a mere traveller, or a 

 constant resident, or what else may be his business 

 •where he is found ; he certainly has a fat place of it, 

 and fares sumptuously every day* 



There are many circumstances, to ascertain 

 which is essential to the natural history of this in- 



