NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SALMON. 7 



ance, but such plain measures as common sense 

 and common reason dictate ; nothing, in fact, but 

 giving the fish fair play, where at present he meets 

 with only foul play and unmerciful treatment. It 

 is only requisite that the transaction be honestly 

 and openly conducted ; there must be no par- 

 tiality, — no sneaking after fish-locks, — no mono- 

 poly ; every thing must be fair and open. — 

 Individual interests must give way to the general 

 good, and nothing need then be apprehended for 

 the result. 



Various are the opinions of naturalists with 

 regard to the mode of propagation, the increase, 

 the growth, habits, and size of the salmon ; some 

 affirming that they continue to grow as long as 

 they live, and others thinking differently. Upon 

 many of these points, in all probability, we shall 

 never be wiser than we are. Goldsmith says, that 

 fishermen assure us that sea-fish must be six years 

 old before they are fit for the table. According to 

 Mr. Pennant, salmon have been taken weighing 

 seventy-four pounds. Whether such rare produc- 

 tions of nature were the formation of a single 

 year, or the accumulated growth of many years, 

 it is not only not easy, but perhaps impossible to 

 ascertain, as well as many other particulars re- 

 lating to ichthyology, to salmon in particular, or 

 fish in general. 



The mode of impregnation is very singular; it 

 has been so often seen that no doubt can be enter- 

 tained of the fact. Yet Goldsmith says, that the 



b 4 



