HERRINCf. 
101 
that fish, and to which place the individual fishes from these 
spawn acquired a habitude, and returned each year, bringing 
with them probably a great many other individuals of the 
same species: a circumstance which seems to countenance the 
supposition we have already made, and might be followed 
elsewhere with advantage. 
The appetite of the Herring is ready to exercise itself on 
a large variety of food; but it may be questioned whether in 
this, as in other instances, its eagerness or indifference as 
regards particular sorts may not be influenced by the state ot 
the constitution in the quiescence or development of the milt 
and roe. It seems certain that it feeds on entomostraca and 
the younger or smaller crustaceans, which people the waters 
in numbers beyond calculation; but it also devours creatures 
of a larger size, since young fishes of several sorts, with the 
smaller Launces of the length of a couple of inches, have been 
found in their stomachs, and even the grains of roe and young 
examples of their own species. 
That considerable numbers are taken with a rod and line all 
round our coasts is well known; but although the Herring is 
said to leap sometimes above the surface after a fly, it is to 
be doubted whether what is made to imitate a fly on the 
hook is not regarded by it rather as some young fish; 
and it is even known to seize the bare hook if made of a 
white and shining material. Several hundreds of Herrings have 
been taken at one time in this manner, and a large number of 
hooks on one line let down into a school have brought up a 
fish on every hook; but it is said that this manner of fishing 
has only been successful when employed between sunrise 
and sunset. A singular instance has been related where there 
was found in the stomach of a Herring a copper farthing 
token, in size a Httle less than a shilling, and marked of the 
ate As maiks of distinction in their actions between 
t e Heiring and Pilchard fishermen inform me, that the 
fomer seldom springs from the water, or s^otis, except when 
driven or alarmed; but the Pilchard does it often, and appa- 
rently through wantonness. When alarmed, as they are easily 
y noise, these fish will rush along to the distance of five or 
SIX feet, as marked by the briming; but the Pilchard does 
