. SCIENTIFIC SURVEY. 13 



shall lie " under" less " difficulties" than they otherwise would be. 

 In doing this, I have found it a difficult thing, as have undoubtedly 

 many others who have essayed a similar task, to steer a middle 

 course, so that what was written should not be so dryly scientific 

 as to repulse and discourage the beginner — nor so purely elemen- 

 tary as to afford no interest to a deeply scientific man. 



If some of the rising generation, who are fond of deep sea fishing, 

 with lead and line — or of Isaak Walton's " gentle art" of angling 

 by brook and lake-let, should be led by it to turn their amusement 

 to incentives for more thorough research into the works of nature, 

 as manifest in the "finny tribes," the writer will be amply com- 

 pensated for his labor, and the State expenditure will not have 

 been made in vain. 



The Early Settlers of Maine drawn thither by its Excellent Fisheries. 

 Progress and Importance of Them. 



The fisheries of Maine constitute one of the oldest and most 

 valuable interests of the community. No person can sail along 

 our coast, or explore our bays and creeks, without being struck 

 with the uncommon facilities offered for marine fisheries. No per- 

 son can travel over our territory, and examine the innumerable 

 lakes, rivers and smaller streams he meets with, without also being 

 struck with the uncommon chances and advantageous localities 

 offered by nature for interior fisheries. 



These advantageous sites, and the facilities for such pursuits 

 were quickly observed by the very first discoverers of Maine, and 

 were among the principal inducements which drew so many pio- 

 nc' .d and adventurers to our shores, and made them so persevering 

 and determined to establish settlements on the coast and islands, 

 notwithstanding the social privations that at first attended, and the 

 Indian hostilities that soon surrounded them. 



Pring, in 1603, and Weymouth, in 1605, both foresaw the un- 

 common advantages here offered for fishing and trading. Wey- 

 mouth, during his voyage came to anchor near Monhegan island, 

 and lay for a time in what he called "Pentecost Harbor," from 

 which he sailed, as his historian says, "to enter a newly discov- 

 ered river, swept by strong tides, and enlivened with fish, some of 

 which were seen great leaping above water judged to be salmon. ^^ 

 Around the island where they first landed (Monhegan) they relate 



