142 ABSTRACT OF EVIDENCE 



rivulets is very destructive to spawning ; mill-dams 

 are very destructive to the fish and fry ; magis- 

 trates are unwilling to act; do?i't understand the 

 laws ; recommends a consolidation into one general 

 Act; there should be an escape for the fry and 

 salmon from mill-leats ; roe of salmon is potted for 

 kail ; gentlemen buy it ; the old laws of Scotland 

 very defective ; does not know much of the En- 

 glish law, but there are places in England where the 

 fisheries might be as g ood as any in Scotland ; does 

 not know much of the Devonshire fisheries, but 

 has heard they are much neglected ; complains of 

 the magistrates and the defective laws ; if proper 

 attention was paid to the fisheries they would be 

 very much increased, and cause a great reduction 

 in the price ; fish in the Moy much increased by 

 appointing people to watch the breeding fish and 

 tlie fry ; the cruive fishing advantageous if not 

 used in the close season ; they take the fish going 

 up ; there should be openings for the kelt to go 

 down ; reprobates angling ; a proprietor offish- 



NOTES. 



said ? Mr. L.'s advice is equally sound in recommending 

 a general consolidation act : it is quite perplexing and mon- 

 strous that there should be a different law for almost every 

 different river in the kingdom, when the same circumstances 

 apply to all rivers. He is also very correct in saying, 

 that the rivers of England would answer as well for salmon 

 as the rivers of Scotland if they were properly looked after ; 

 but, as Bell says, "it is all poaching in close time" Now it 



