Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/257

Rh thousands of a minute species of shrimp, not larger than a flea.… The abundance of this food must be enormous, if, as there can be no doubt was the case, all the schulls on the coast were as well fed as the individuals I examined." The Herring on the coast of Norway feeds upon a minute species of shrimp, the Astacus harengum of Fabricius. The number of these minute creatures swimming in the sea during summer, is so incalculable, that a vessel dipped into the water will be found to have inclosed thousands. So great is the eagerness of the Herrings for these shrimps, that they follow them wherever they may chance to be driven by tides or currents; and by constantly feeding on them, the bellies of the fishes acquire a ruddy tinge, occasioned, according to Strœm, by a reddish humour contained in these minute marine insects, but more probably, as we think, explained by the effect of the gastric juice of the fish, which turns all crustacea red, just as boiling does.

Besides these, other creatures contribute to furnish food to the Herring tribe. Small medusæ, shelled mollusca, flies, the spawn and the young fry of other fishes, are all found to be agreeable to them. Mr. Yarrell was informed that the fishermen in the Bay of Biscay throw large quantities of the salted roe of fish about their nets, to attract Pilchards, and much of this substance is found in the stomachs of such as are caught. The Pilchard has been known to take a hook baited with a worm, and Herrings to bite at the artificial fly of an angler. They do not scruple to indulge even a cannibal appetite; for, according to Dr. Neill, five young Herrings have been found