80 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The authorities of the Cossack army fix the time for opening the fish- 

 ing-season. On the appointed day, Cossacks with ice-breakers, long 

 poles, and hooks, meet with their sleighs at the place which has been 

 designated, usually near the deep places, " yatoves," where the stur- 

 geon are hiding for the winter. AVheu all have arrived, they place 

 their sleighs in a row, and wait for the signal in the most profound 

 silence. A cannon shot is heard, and all the Cossacks rush on to the 

 ice with the greatest emulation. Each one selects his place, rapidly 

 works a hole in the ice, and plunges his hooked rod in. The holes are 

 generally round, and have a diameter of half an " arsheen," (1 foot 2 

 inches.) The hooks are lowered to the bottom of the river, and they 

 are constantly taken up and baited. The sturgeons, some of which 

 remain entirely quiet in their " yatoves," while others are frightened at 

 being disturbed in their rest, soon become the prey of the fishermen, 

 who, over a space 1£ " versts " (almost a mile) long and 00 " sagenes " (41*0 

 feet) broad, frequently work no less than 10,000 rods armed with hooks. 

 As soon as a fisherman sees, by the strong movement of the water, 

 that a sturgeon approaches his hook, he raises it suddenly, draws it 

 back, and hauls the captured fish on the ice. 



This fishing goes on over certain fixed areas. After a certain area 

 has been exhausted, the fishermen pass on to another, leaving the ice 

 pierced by innumerable holes, and covered with some inches of water 

 reddened by the blood of the fish. 



Fishrgigs. — This fishing-implement consists of an iron fork with two 

 pointed and barbed prongs, which is attached to a pole. Cyprinus car- 

 pio and Sllurus glanis are caught with the fish-gig among the reeds and 

 water-plants. This fishing takes place in the spring. 



7. — IMPORTANCE OF A " VATAGA," (FTSHING-ESTABLISHMENT.) 



By a " vataga " must be understood an entire fishing-establishment, 

 such as are found on the banks of the Volga and its several branches. 

 The " vataga" comprises dwelling-houses for the proprietors of the es- 

 tablishment, and for the inspectors and laborers, and warehouses and 

 sheds for keeping the fishing-implements ; also salt-warehouses, provi- 

 sion-warehouses, buildings for dressing and salting fish, and for manu- 

 facturing isinglass, caviar, and fish-oil. The shore is covered with large 

 and small fishing-boats, and everywhere there is bustle and activity. 



No such establishments are found on the banks of the Ural, where 

 the fish is generally cut and dressed in the open air, and where it is 

 salted in tubs protected by a roof of reed or plank. 



The buildings in which the fish are dressed are constructed on piles, 

 rising several feet above the surface of the water, and these form vast 

 halls, which are floored and have a roof. In the walls, there are large 

 doors. The two doors on the water-side open on inclined planes, form- 

 ing a sort of plank-bridge over the water. Very large fish are hoisted 

 by means of winches on to this bridge from the boats, while the small 



