In Foula they drive a small stake or dagger in the soil at the top of the precipice, to which they fasten a fishing line. By this slender assistance they descend to the place where the nests are, which they plunder, and ascend again with amazing intrepidity. This manner of fowling was, by the Norwegian law, considered a species of suicide. What is still more extraordinary, custom has so hardened the Shetlanders against all sense of danger, that they will wander among the rocks at night, in order to surprise the old fowl upon the nest. The eggs and young of the black-backed and herring gulls, compose the chief part of the booty acquired in these predatory and desperate attempts. The seas[5] abound with cod, turbot, haddock, ling, and two certain species of northern fish, called torsk and opah. Lobsters, crabs, oysters, &c. are also very plentiful. At certain seasons vast shoals of herrings visit these shores. In June they appear in surprising columns, and perform the circuit of the islands; after which they totally disappear, especially in time of storm. After they first approach from the north, the appearance of the ocean is materially altered. They are divided into columns of five or six miles long, and three or four broad; and, in their passage, the water is propelled before them like an impetuous current. Sometimes they sink for a little while, then rise again to the surface. When the sun shines, the appearance of this finny tribe is most beautiful, being similar to a spacious field of variegated gems. [5] _Divitiæ eis sunt a mari, ab omni parte summa piscandi commoditate objecta._ Buch. lib. 1. § 50. They afford a sure subsistence to vast multitudes of birds, of whales, and other fish; and, to complete their destruction, man himself joins in the common chase. For this purpose, vessels from many nations used to rendezvous in Bressay Sound, to lay in treasures of this useful species.[6] [6] The Dutch formerly carried on this fishery very extensively. It has, however, been on the decline with them ever since the year 1703. They had then about 500 busses in Shetland, under the convoy of four ships of war, but a French fleet of six ships of war sent out for the purpose, fell in with the Dutch, and, an engagement taking place, the Dutch Admiral’s ship was sunk, on which the remaining three ran away and made their escape; whereupon, the French fleet sailed for the entry of Bressay Sound, sent their boats into the bay, and burned and destroyed about 400 of the Dutch fishing vessels, sparing only a number barely sufficient to carry home the crews of the whole.