126 STURGEON. Class IV, 



falmon nets. It feems a fpiritlefs fifh, making 

 no manner of refiftance when entangled, but is 

 drawn out of the water like a lifelefs lump. It 

 is a fifh that is feldom taken far out at fea, but 

 frequents fuch parts as are not remote from the 

 seftuaries of great rivers. It is admired for the 

 delicacy and firmnefs of its ftefh, which is white as 

 veal, and extremely good when roafted. It is ge- 

 nerally pickled. The moil we receive comes either 

 from the Baltic rivers, or North America: thofe 

 cured at Pillau have been, till of late, in thegreateft 

 repute •, but through the encouragement given by 

 the fociety inftituted for promoting trade and ma- 

 nufactures, the fturgeon from our colonies begins 

 to rival thofe of the Baltic. 



Great numbers are taken during fummer in 

 the lakes Frifcbebaff, and Curifcb- h aff near Pillau, 

 in large nets made of fmall cord. The adjacent 

 fhores are formed into diftricts, and farmed out 

 to companies of fifhermen, fome of which are rent- 

 ed for fix thoufand guilders, or near three hundred 

 pounds per annum. 



They are found in vaft abundance in the American 

 rivers in May, June, and July, at which time they 

 leap fome yards out of the water, and falling on 

 their fides, make a noife to be heard in (till wea- 

 ther at fome miles diftance*. 



Caviare is made of the roes of this, and alfo of 



* Catejby Carol. App. 33. 



all 



