PREFACE. THE geographical situation of the British Islands renders a knowledge of the productions of the numerous and valuable fisheries by which they are surrounded a subject worthy of inquiry to every one interested in the welfare of his country. The large and constant supply of excellent food obtained from the seas all round the coast by moderate labour and expense, and the employment afforded to a numerous and valuable class of men, who become not only good seamen, but able pilots, since the successful exercise of their occupation depends on an intimate knowledge of the nature of the ground surface, the situation of banks and channels, with the particular direction and force of tides and currents, render the British fisheries also, in many points of view, a branch of political economy of great national importance. It has long, however, been matter of general regret that the subjects of this particular branch of natural history, so valuable as articles of food and commerce, and so interesting from their organization, and the peculiarities and beauty of their varied forms and colours, should, with the exception of those inhabiting the fresh water, and the marine species most in request for the table, be almost wholly unknown. Bewick's work, illustrated with engravings on wood of unrivalled excellence, may justly claim the distinguished merit of having done more towards rendering Ornithology popular in this country than any other book that could be named; and it was hoped that this eminent artist would have devoted his great talents to the delineation of the subjects of |