822 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [8] 



ciiilly concern Belgium, it is my opinion that any one capable of answer- 

 ing the principal questions could easily put himself in possession of the 

 necessary inlbrmation. I am moreover convinced that many parts of 

 France are situated like Belgium as regards rivers whose depopulation 

 is caused by the pollution of the water. 



It was on the 1st of April, 188U (a very appropriate day for discuss- 

 ing the fish question), that the Academy, by a great majority, passed 

 the resolution to invite competition for the prize referred to above. It 

 was not a public session, but I believe that I shall not be guilty of an 

 indiscretion if I state in a general manner the principal objections raised 

 against this proposition by conscientious men of science. One of them 

 thought that this would draw the Academy- into an administrative 

 sphere, which was not, j^roperly speaking, its domain, and that it would 

 look as if the Academy was under the impression that the laws of the 

 land were not properly executed, especially that of INfay 7, 1877, ''on 

 water-courses not suitable for navigation and rafting," which imposes 

 fines on persons who throw into the water substances liable to pollute 

 or change it. The law also provides that owners of water-courses who 

 have in this manner had their property injured may bring the matter 

 into court. 



Another member of the Academy remarked that he had made many 

 researches with the view of finding a suitable and practical method for 

 purifying the waters from manufactories, but that all these researches 

 had failed to lead to a satisfactory end. He mentioned the evaporation 

 of polluted water which certain manufactures are compelled to intro- 

 duce, which process, however, produces a smoke having an odor which 

 becomes almost unbearable for persons living in the neighborhood. He 

 moreover thought that with our elective system few persons would 

 dare to strictly carry out the necessary measures. He finally felt cer- 

 tain that the question was full of dangers on account of the exigencies 

 which would arise if the present condition of the waters was made 

 widely known, and it was stated at the same time that so far no remedy 

 had been found for this deplorable condition. 



A third member asked that statistics be prepared showing the amount 

 of capital invested in the industries in question, and that this sum should 

 then be compared with the value of the fish destroyed by waters pol- 

 luted by manufactures. The author of the proposition has answered, 

 in substance, that the scientific solution of this problem comes very 

 l)roi)erly within the province of the Academy; that there is no idea of 

 finding fault with the administration, as, on the contrary, it was in- 

 tended to call science to its aid to furnish it with the practical means 

 of attaining the object for which the law was intended. He calls atten- 

 tion to the fact that the programme invites research for the purpose of 

 finding means of purifying the water, which would make it possible for 

 fish to live ni it, with the express reservation that these remedies shall 

 not endanger the existence of manufactures. In his opinion the value 

 of the manufactures and that of the fish which they destroy by render- 



