THE HERRING. 
277 
others of its genus that come to ns from the north, this fish comes from the south, to deposit 
its spawn. In Charleston, S. C., it appears in January, proceeding steadily along the coast, at 
Norfolk in February, and reaching New York in March or April, in accordance with the state 
of the season. On the coast of Massachusetts it appears in May. The Shad that reach the 
headquarters of the Hudson attain a distance of one hundred and fifty miles from the mouth. 
Shad in N ew England rank low, as the salt-water fishes of the northern coast are superior. 
East of Boston, Shad are regarded as little better than herring. 
The Hebrihg ( Clujpea harengus) is undoubtedly the most valuable of fishes, and the one 
which could least be spared. In Europe it is at once the luxury of the rich and the nourish- 
ment of the poor, capable of preservation throughout a long period, easily packed, quick and 
simply dressed, and equally good whether eaten fresh or salted, smoked or potted. 
1. T WAITE SHAD. Alausafinta. 2. SPRAT. — Clupea sprattus. 3. HERRING . — Clupea harengus. (One-third natural size.) 
_ Curing the greater part of the year, the Herring lives in deep water, where its habits are 
entirely unknown. About J uly or August, the Herring is urged, by the irresistible force of 
instinct, to approach the shores for the purpose of depositing its spawn in the shallow waters, 
where the warm rays of the sun may pour their vivifying influence upon the tiny eggs that 
will hereafter produce creatures of so disproportionate a size, and where the ever-moving tides 
.may fill the water with free oxygen as the waves dash on the shores and fall back in whitened 
spray, thus giving to the water that sparkling freshness so needful for the development of the 
future fish. 
The Herring is called Alewife in New England, Graspereau in the British provinces, Spring 
Hening, Blue-back, Saw-belly, and Cat-thresher in Maine. The Narragansetts called it 
Aumscrag. Its range is from Newfoundland to Florida. It is thought that Herrings winter in 
the Arctic Circle and pass southward. They appear off the Shetland Islands in April and 
May, but the grand shoal is not seen until June. The main body is described as altering the 
appearance of the ocean miles in extent, divided in columns of six units’ length. In America 
the shad run up the rivers in March, the streams being so full they are trampled on at 
fording-places. 
In Massachusetts the Taunton River is a famous place for Ale wives. The erection of 
