TABLE CONTINUED

Flounder

Oct. Nov. Dec.

Ling

TABLE CONTINUED.

,, Apr. May Jun. July Agt.

Jun. July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. ,, Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

In Sum mer generally

Jun. July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov.
May Jun. July Agt. Sep. Oct.

Jan. Feb. Ma. Apr.,,

In Sum mer

In Summer generally but

Jan.

Jan.

ciall
July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

May Jun. July Agt. Sep. Oct.,
In Sum mer gene rally

In Sum mer gene rally

July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jun. July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov.

Sep Oct. Nov. Dec.

Pollack or Whiting Pollack
Pouting or Whiting Pouting

TABLE CONTINUED.

"

May Jun. July

May Jun. July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov.

Ma. Apr. May Jun. July Agt.
Apr. May Jun. July Agt. Sep.

Ma. Apr. May Jun. July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov.

Tub

Jan. Feb.

.....

May Jun.July Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov.

Agt. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Sep.Oct. Nov.

OBSERVATIONS

RESPECTING

THE SEASONS IN WHICH FISHES ARE EDIBLE.

FISH AS A DIET.

THE class of fishes presents, in one respect, a peculiarity of striking interest, and of the greatest importance; when their position among the higher tribes of animals is considered in a scientific view, and still more, when their great weight in a commercial and economic respect is regarded, the contrasted seasons of their SPAWNING, and, (with a few exceptions) of their consequent periodical unfitness for food, must appear a fact of the utmost moment to those whom it thus directly affects. As a matter

of mere passing interest to the enquiring mind, this circumstance must seem remarkable, but, its value is particularly great to those whose merchandise or trade extends to this portion of Creation, or whose common food or daily wages depend on the resources afforded by the "deep." Among the thousands who are supported by the fisheries in a direct way, and even among those of the higher spheres of life who are only occasional purchasers of those species ranking as luxuries, enquiries are continually made as to the present fitness of given sorts for human consumption. Still more is it an object of primary regard with the professed fisherman to make himself acquainted with the seasons during which expeditions after certain species may profitably be undertaken.

However manifest it be that this knowledge is important, it is certain that it is a range of information very imperfectly cultivated, and this condition of it is dependent, on the one hand, on certain anomalies in the economy of this class of creatures, and on the other, on a neglect of facts as they arise in the way of those best fitted by their situations or their callings to observe, and record them. Every man whose occupation is in the vicinity of,