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97 
conspicuous; but the season of either of these is often extended 
or delayed beyond what may be considered the more regular 
time; from which cause it happens that in the opinion of 
fishermen they may even be said to be in spawn throughout 
the whole of the year; and it is often in the end of December 
they are engaged in this office of nature. There cannot be 
a doubt that many of the subordinate actions of this fish are 
regulated by this innate propensity of nature; and it has been 
well remarked by those who have had the wisdom to discern 
the hand of the Author of Providence in His works, how 
great is the blessing thus bestowed on man, in supplying him 
with abundant and excellent food at the time when it is 
best fitted to his use. Nor is it an objection to this that 
the movements of these fishes while with us are apparently 
uncertain, and that they do not remain in any district for 
more than a few days. In men the virtues of vigilance, 
patience, and skill are thereby called into exercise, as the 
same are demanded indeed in some degree in every other 
pursuit which men must follow for theii- daily bread. 
We are informed that at Stornaway, in the Scotch Isle of 
Lewis, the Herring fishery begins on the 20th. of May, and 
the law forbids its earlier commencement; but the 1st. day of 
June is thought sufficiently early in the north of Scotland, 
whilst off Shetland they are first fished for at the beginning 
of July, and other large schools do not shew themselves before 
November and December. On the east coast of Scotland they 
chiefly abound from September to October, but are taken 
onward from November to January; and Dr. Parnell remarks 
that they will remain for two or three weeks at the mouth of 
the Firth of Forth before they ascend; but they abound on 
the coasts of Dunbar and Berwick in June, July, and August, 
when scarcely a single Herring is to be seen higher in the 
Forth. In the west of England they are caught in the most 
abundance from about the end of September to November, but 
sometimes, as in the years 1863 and 1864, they arc also in good 
quantity through January and February; and there are years 
when large numbers of the hest quality are caught in July 
and August; but it seems certain that in the generality of 
these instances the schools which thus shew themselves are 
either of different age, the progeny of different parents, or 
VOL. IV. ’ o 
