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practicable, the use of issuing such a prohibition appears 

 still more questionable. The period, were one imposed, 

 would of course be that of the breeding season, from about 

 June to November inclusive, but it is during this period 

 that the shad ascends from the sea to breed, and it is only- 

 prior to such time that it is in good condition as food. That 

 fixed engines with small meshes at this period ought to be 

 abolished no two opinions are possible, but, that all netting 

 should cease, is, I think, open to a grave doubt, and would 

 not propose such a course. Secondly (2), in the hilly re- 

 gions, during the breeding season the mahaseer and other 

 large carps which ascend to breed (irrespective of the dry 

 season) most certainly need some protection : at any rate, 

 weirs spanning streams to arrest breeding-fish going up, or 

 capture them, or the most minute fry coming down, should 

 be prohibited as destructive to the general fish-supply of the 

 country at large. Whilst to protect the shad, one day a 

 week might be kept free from fishing anywhere within 1J 

 miles below an irrigation weir spanning a river up whicli 

 they ascend to breed. Also, lines armed with hooks should 

 not be allowed in passes in hill streams, as they not only 

 capture some ascending breeding-fishes, but wound others 

 that only escape to die a lingering death. Thirdly (3), there 

 are certain localities in which netting, or fishermen engaged 

 in the process, or servants employed by them, should be 

 prohibited, as within a reasonable distance of irrigation weirs 

 which span rivers. What this reasonable distance may be, 

 must depend upon the character of the under-sluices, and 

 the existence or the reverse of fish-passes. The same pro- 

 tection is also necessary in the canals. Fourthly (4), certain 

 pools in rivers during the dry season of the year should be 

 protected from being fished, except by anglers ; this would 

 keep up a stock of breeding-fish in certain localities where 

 now the larger fish obtain no immunity. Lastly (5), as 

 regards rendering it penal to capture or possess the fry of 

 certain kinds of fish. This is a subject which is most inter- 

 esting, and one in which, could all informers and magistrates 

 be quite clear about, I would urge should be the law 

 as in Europe. But I fear that very great difficulties 

 will arise in defining what fish are alluded to. Thus, 

 it is easy to decide that a mahaseer under 1 or 2 lbs weight 

 should be an under-sized fish. But what is a mahaseer ? Of 

 course, the reply is that it is a carp of the genus Barbus, but, 

 unfortunately, several of the large species of this genus 



