42 
haddock, ling, and two certain species of 
northern fish, called torsk and opah* 
Lobsters, crabs, oysters, &c. are also very 
plentiful. At certain seasons vast shoals 
of herrings visit these shores. In June 
they appear in surprising columns, and 
perform the circuit of the islands ; after 
which they totally disappear, especially 
in time of storm. After they first ap¬ 
proach from the north, the appearance 
of the ocean is materially altered. They 
are divided into columns of five or six 
miles long, and three or four broad; and 
in their passage, the water is propelled 
before them like an impetuous current* 
Sometimes they sink for a little while, 
then rise again to the surface. When 
the sun shines, the appearance of this 
finny tribe is most beautiful, being si¬ 
milar to a spacious field of variegated 
gems. 
They afford a sure and easy subsist¬ 
ence to vast multitudes of birds, of 
4 
