CONGER. 245 



the number required in the literary emporium, by 

 destroying the genuine breeders of this princi- 

 pal ingredient of a salad. But here follow 

 some of the cogent reasons for this enlightened 

 effort, which is destined to become so renowned in 

 the subsequent history of our ancient Common- 

 wealth. 



It was stated, we understand, in the House, that 

 fishermen from Cape Cod went over and caught 

 a great many barrels of these fish for exporta- 

 tion. Mr Cole, a representative from O , 



Barnstable county, remarked, says a gentleman 

 present, that some ten or fifteen years since, an 

 immense number of eels were caught in the coves 

 at Orleans, and that he has known a thousand 

 bushels to be taken, often, in a day. The practice 

 was, after the toil of acquiring, to score the skins 

 and hang the eels in the air till they were dried 

 hard ; then to take them down and split and salt 

 them ; after this, they were commonly roasted 

 for family consumption, as occasion required. 



Apprehension being entertained that these fish 

 would be annihilated, at that place, if such great 

 catches were allowed, an act was obtained to au- 

 thorize the selectmen of the town to regulate the 

 fishery, and now the permits range from three doz- 

 en to two bushels, for an individual, in a day, the 

 proper season. Some of the eels taken there, 



