Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 2.djvu/107



The value of the fish, as sold for exportation, depends entirely on the quantity taken. In the year 1823, the average price was about £3 per hogshead, besides the government bounty of 8s. 6d.

A great number of persons, men, women and children, are, of course, employed in catching and preparing such a large quantity of fish; and it need hardly be remarked that the receipt of such a sum as £60,000 or £70,000 by these persons, or the total want of it, must render the good years or bad years of the fishery of vital importance in this community. The mode of catching and preserving the pilchards will be noticed hereafter.

Besides pilchards, there is an extensive annual fishery for mackarel and herring for exportation, besides the habitual supplies required for home consumption. These latter consist, principally, of cod, whiting, turbot, soles, plaice, surmullet, John Dory, gurnard, lobster, &c. &c. &c. all of which abound in the markets of the district, and are disposed of at uncommonly low prices. Besides these and other excellent fish, there is a great supply of conger eels, which are used in very considerable quantities by the common people. Lobsters and crabs are found in great plenty. It is evident that this class of fishes exists abundantly in the adjoining waters, both from the number and variety of shells thrown up on the shores in a perfect state, and from the vast accumulation of sand, in different parts of the coast, composed entirely of comminuted shells. Of this kind is the sand in the various bays near the Landsend, as well as the long range of sand hills, formerly noticed, in the parishes of Lelant, Phillack and