HERRING. 
105 
and tlie belief tbat tbe largest Herrings are to be found at 
a distance from tbe coast, tbe fishery is often pursued at a 
considerable distance, from wbicb, consequently, tbe return to 
shore cannot be speedy, it is tbe custom to sprinkle tbe 
newly-caught fish with salt, by which means also they are in 
the best condition for being smoked, for which process the 
largest fish are always preferred. 
There is another mode of fishing for Herrings, which is 
conducted on a much less extensiye scale, and which is 
founded on the knowledge that these fish often come near 
the shore, where, especially in rough weather, it would not 
be safe for a drift-boat to follow them. It consists in mooring 
a few nets without their being attached to a boat; but we 
believe that on several accounts this practice is not sanctioned 
by the law; as, we may venture to say also, however ancient, 
ought not to be those fixed erections or stations termed yairs 
and cruives, on the beach, within which the fish are kept 
enclosed when the tide has ebbed and left them dry. 
It appears that a scan of some sort is employed on the 
coast of Ireland, but, as described, is much less skilfully 
contrived than the Pilchard scan of Cornwall; and if in 
general use it would interfere greatly with the success of the 
di-ift fishery, by contracting the space within which the latter 
could be employed. We believe also that not long since 
ingenuity has contrived to render the trawl effective in the 
fishery for Herrings, by using it somewhat on the principle of 
a moving stow-net. The gaping and enormous bag is sunk 
to the proper depth by a rope, and in this condition is 
carried along among the hosts of fish by the moviag vessel. 
This method of fishing ought not to be practised within a 
limited distance from the older forms of fishing with drift-nets. 
In the great work of Duhamel on fisheries a lengthened 
account is given of the various ways of catching Herrings 
along the coasts of Europe, but none of them are superior to 
the methods practised in England. 
Contrary to the custom of Cornwall as regards the Pilchard, 
"where, except those which are sold to the public for family 
use, every master of a boat cures his own fish, in Scotland 
and the north of England the produce of the night is disposed 
of to professional fish-curers; and upwards of a hundied 
VOL. IV. p 
