The Philosophical Transactions and Collections to the End of the Year MDCC, Abridged, and Disposed Under General Heads (Volume 3) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1749 Excerpt: ... CHAP. III. Voyages and 'Travels. I.rTH AT Part of the County of Lincoln that licth towards the Sea, is Several 01__ a Level about 50 Miles long, viz. from Grim/by to Crowland; vcAfirvabUs in broad from the Sea to the Woulds (or High-lands) xo. It may be divided f01" first into Marshes, extending from Grim/by to about Witnfieet, in which jerret _ are a great Stock of large Sheep, which yield a very lusty Wool, or of a 223. p. 343. large Staple (as here phrased) 3 or 4 Fleeces usually making a Tod of 28 Founds. Several hundred Loads are yearly carried out of it into Norfolk, Suffolk, the North and West Countries, in great Packs (called Pockets) of about 2500/ . Weight, and there manufactured. 2. Fens, the East begins about Wainfieet, and ends at Sibjye, yielding a great Plenty and Variety of Fowl and Fish, particularly Duck, Mallard, and Teal, which are usually taken in Decoys, and sent to London. The Decoy Men contract for them all at a certain Rate per Dozen, which the Carriers (Kedgers) are obliged to take off" their Hand: Two Teal are reckoned equal to a Duck, which usually cost here about 9 Shillings a Dozen. About Midsummer (when moultering Time is) several Persons, some for Pleasure, others for Profit, go in small Boats among the Reeds, and with long Poles knock them down, they not being able to swim or fly from them. A little before Michaelmas, great Flights arrive in these Parts, which soon grow fat. When the Decoys are frozen (which they keep open as long as possible, by breaking them) the Fowl resort to the Sea for their Food. As for Fish, there are great Quantities, especially Pike, some being of a very large Size. The Fens abound no less with Quadrupeds, as Beasts, Sheep especially (which will grow fat) and Horses. These Fens are comm...