FISHES ' The Germans, owing to its aroma, term it the " Stinkfisch." '—Day. ' Lubbock observed the migrations of roach and dace in Norfolk fleeing from the smelts,' which regularly ascend the rivers in spring to spawn' (Day's British Fishes, vol. ii. p. 122).
- They ascend the Norwich river as far as
the New Mills, where great numbers are taken every season.' — J. H. G. Mr. Southwell informs me that many are kept alive in tanks in the Norwich fish-market till required for use. 111. Anchovy. Engraulis encrasicholus, Linn. Frequently caught during the summer months in stow-nets, in the river opposite Lynn. They are generally from 7 to 8 inches in length. Yarmouth : ' A specimen found on this beach. May, 1830.' — Paget. This is probably the same referred to in Yarrell's British Fishes, communicated by Mr. Dawson Turner, September 30th, 1899. — J. P. 112. Herring. Clupea harengus, Linn. Mr. T. Southwell has kindly sent me the following official return of the number of herring landed at the fish-wharf in the autumn fishery at Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Year No. of Lasta,^ Yarmouth Lasts at Lowestoft 1867 No account 6,154 1868 •5.5" 7.035 1869 13,386 6,912 1870 18,709 and 2,000 at Quay 10,456 187. 19,871 and a great quantity landed at Quay 14,390 1872 14,500 6,920 1873 18,795 '0,937 The herring is frequently mentioned in the L' Estrange Household Book. ' Item. — To John Browne, of Lynn, for ij barrels of white herynges, xxij ' Item. — Paid to Richard Bessye, of Lynn, for ij cases of red heryngs, xvj'*' The variety known as Leach's herring {Clupea leachii), which Yarrell considered a good species, is now no longer regarded as such.
- M. de la Blanch^re observes that the odour of
the smelt drives other fish away, and thus protects it from its enemies. ' The number of fish in a last is I 3,200. 113. Pilchard. Clupea pilchardus, hinn. Yarmouth : * Some few generally taken every year in the herring-nets ; in some years they have been abundant.' — P. ' Though this sea aboundeth not with pil- chards, yet they are commonly taken among herrings ; but few esteem thereof or eat them.' — Sir T. Browne. Yarmouth : August 12th, 1891. — A. P. ' Some taken June 23rd, 1897. A few are taken every spring ; several in May and June, 1895 ; and one, which I did not see, in the week ending October 15th, 1898.' — A. P. 114. Sprat. Clupea sprattuSfh'mn. Sir T. Browne says : * Herrings departed, sprats, or sarda, not long after succeed in great plenty, which are taken with smaller nets, and smoked and dried like herrings, become a sapid bit and vendible abroad.' On the coast of Norfolk and Lincolnshire many hundreds of tons of sprats are annually used for manure, a waste of valuable food much to be regretted. Were a company formed for preserving them after the manner of sardines, to which they are in no respect inferior, a vast amount of food might be saved, and the undertaking, if properly managed, be made very remunerative. Dr. Dowell says, that though he has seen vast quantities of these fish caught he never yet saw one with roe. Considerable quantities are prepared and sold as anchovies and anchovy paste.
- II5. Shad. Clupea a losa, L,
n. Yarmouth : * not uncommon with her- rings.' — P. New Mills, Norwich, June, 1840. — Lub- bock. ' Two specimens, male and female, caught at Lowestoft in May, 1 840. Weighed, the male, 3I lb. ; the female, 4^ lb. Both are preserved in the Norwich Museum.' — y. H. G. Sir T. Browne says : ' Alosa, or shads, to be met with about Lynn.' Norfolk Estuary, 1851 ; specimen in Wis- beach Museum.
- One taken at Yarmouth, April 27 th,
1893, weighed 4f lb.'— ^. P.
- ii6. Twait. Clupea finta, Cnv.
Lynn Roads, September, 1848, and Octo- ber, 1867. Mr. E. L. King, Yarmouth. — A. P. ' One taken with a draw-net off Yarmouth, 213
