SMELT. 
277 
of Spirling, is also significant of its pearly appearance wlien 
first caught. 
The species which we term the true Smelt is held in con- 
siderable reputation for the table; and in consequence of this 
in places which it frequents a fishery is carried on for taking 
It. Such is the case in the Severn, and also near the outlets 
of the larger rivers of our more eastward and northern coasts, 
where a particular size of the mesh for this purpose is rendered 
legal by a law of the time of Elizabeth; and four or five 
thousand of these fish have been brought to market from a 
single fishery in a week of the season, although a less number 
than this is now said to furnish the supply. In proportion to 
the size of the fish fashion has fixed the price at a high rate; 
and where it is recorded that formerly they might be bought 
at a penny each, or even from threepence to sixpence a 
score, they have since reached to three shillings, and above, 
for a dozen. 
The Smelt is migratory, but the season of entering rivers 
has been variously stated. Thus it has been said that they 
come up the rivers about the end of August, and continue 
until about the middle of April, when they are accounted in 
their best condition; which is when they are about to shed 
their spawn, and that immediately after performing this 
function they return to the ocean. But it is remarked by 
Dr. Parnell, who observed the motions of these fish with much 
attention, that such as are about to shed their spawn do not 
enter rivers until about January, and “in the month of March 
they ascend the Forth in large shoals to deposit their spawn 
in fresh water; this they shed in immense quantity about two 
miles below Stirling Bridge, when at that time every stone, 
plank, and post appears to be covered with their yellowish 
ova.” Unlike, therefore, the larger members of the Salmon 
family, these fish do not go far up the river to perform this 
duty; nor do they, like them, cover over the deposit, but, 
without concerning themselves further with what shall befal it, 
they hasten back to the sea, where they are soon lost sight 
of; for we believe they are not often taken far in the salt 
water either by nets or in the stomachs of fishes. But it is 
not long before the young arc hatched, and their growth is 
speedy, so that by the decline of summer they have reached 
