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CHAPTER XL 



MISCELLANEOUS FISHERIES. 



The capelin fishery of Newfoundland — Chiefly used as bait for cod — Some 

 shipped pickled and dried — The halibut fishery on the American coast — 

 The sword-fish eaten as food — Fishing for turbots, soles, and other flat fish 

 — Quantity sold annually in Billingsgate — Fish in India, 



The Capelin Fishery. — The capelin {Mallotus arcticus ; 

 M. villosus, Cuv.) is peculiar to Newfoundland and Labrador. 

 It is a very delicate fish, resembling a smelt. Its visits 

 are during August and September, for the purpose of 

 spawning on beaches. At times they are so numerous as 

 to darken the sea for miles, while the cod feed on them 

 with the utmost voracity. We only know them in Europe 

 in the dried state, some quantity being imported from 

 Newfoundland. 



As an article of bait for cod and other fish of that 

 class, the capelin is of much importance ; whenever 

 abundant, the cod fishing is excellent. Like the common 

 smelt, it possesses the cucumber smell, but differs from the 

 smelt in never entering fresh- water streams. 



This delicious fish is now only locally sought for bait 

 and manure, but a very small quantity are cured. This may 

 hereafter become a great source of wealth, when we con- 



