VI PEEFACE. 



further, to consider the merits of such fish as 

 it may be advisable to acclimatize, but which 

 are not at present included in our Fauna. Com- 

 prehensively considered, my plan is to indicate 

 how water may be made most productive, and 

 what should be clone with those vast aqueous 

 deserts of lake and stream which are now com- 

 paratively valueless, but which would be mines 

 of wealth to us were it not for the ignorance 

 which generally pertains to everything vitally 

 connected with this subject. 



I do not pretend myself to write upon this 

 matter as a master, but rather as a student 

 yet on the threshold, hoping to engage others 

 in the investigation of that which may be called 

 a new science, and which any one may engage 

 themselves in who can command the simple 

 accessory of a bowl of water; — a science, the 

 workings and effects of which have to be dis- 

 covered, and in which there are honours and 

 profitable fame to be won ; while vast benefits to 

 the human race in general, and our own country 

 in particular, will flow from an extended know- 

 ledge of it. I have glimpses — afar off it may 

 be — of the valuable life which should and may 



