120 ABSTRACT OF EVIDENCE 



eries there. — Attributes the scarcity of salmon to 

 the destruction of the breeding fish in close time, 



notes. 



the subject matter, is expecting more from human nature 

 than it is capable of performing. We must make all 

 due allowances, and not require from others what we should 

 not be able to do ourselves. Still we must find out the real 

 truth if we can, but we must look for it among those who 

 have no interest in its concealment. 



There is a great deal of matter in this report, though 

 curious and instructive, which cannot be applied to any 

 beneficial purpose ; things of most importance to be wel 

 understood are those which can be improved by the power 

 of man. It is desirable to obtain whatever will add to our 

 stock of knowledge ; but it is most desirable to dive deepest 

 into, and investigate most closely, those branches of sci- 

 ence which can be turned to the most profitable account. 

 The grand question on this subject is, how are the abuses 

 to be prevented which render the fish scarce, and how are 

 such fish to be rendered more plentiful, so as to serve the 

 wants of the public in the most beneficial and effectual 

 way ? In the more material bearings of this question, all 

 the witnesses cordially and fully agree. These, then, are 

 settled. The committee might about as profitably examine 

 witnesses to ascertain whether there is a moon, as ask 

 further questions upon these points. There are, however, 

 other objects of much less moment on which there appears 

 to be a difference of testimony ; and these objects, after 

 which the committee seem to have made hottest pursuit, are, 

 first, the stake-nets, then the coble nets, the grampuses, 

 the species of the fish itself, and the cruives; upon all these 

 we will make some remarks, as I take all the other matters 



