12 
the nets, not restored to the river. The expediency of 
destroying the kelts has also been maintained, on the 
ground that they devour “parr’ 
b 
in large quantities. I 
incline to think this a mistake. The kelts generally go 
down to the sea in February and March, at which 
time the “parr,” like the common “mzznows,” hide them- 
selves in the muddy bottom or sides of the river, or 
under stones. A neighbour of mine, who kept a supply of 
minnows in a pond in his garden for many years, told 
me that they always, during the winter months, buried 
themselves in the mud. My gamekeeper, when in winter 
he wants “sznnows” for trout fishing, tells me that he has 
to seek for them among tree roots and other rubbish along 
the banks, by means of a small net. This is also probably 
the case with “arr.” 
IJ. FISHERIES. 
Having offered these remarks in regard to /7sh, I pro- 
ceed to the second part of the programme, viz. /zsherces, 
which I presume refers to the persons who fish for salmon, 
and to the rules for controlling their modes of fishing, 
- In Scotland, as I believe is the case also in England 
and Ireland, the original right of fishing for salmon is in 
the Crown, the privilege being capable of being exercised 
only by those who can show a Crown charter. 
Until about thirty years ago, the Crown rights in this 
matter seem, in Scotland at least, to have been little 
attended to. 
About that time, steps were taken by the Department 
of Woods and Forests, to ascertain what proprietors who 
were fishing for salmon, could show Crown charters. 
The investigation began in the south-east of Scotland, 
