the Residence of certain Fishes. 225 
such a manner as to ensure the greatest possible permanent stock of 
fish ; removing the superfluous produce, which would otherwise 
be devoured or die, without injuring the future population, and. 
thus procuring a constant and regular supply in the season, with= 
out the risk of exhaustion. 
In Germany, it is well known that the cultivation of carp and 
other fresh-water fish is a regular object of attention; and although 
the proximity of the sea may cause us to treat with contempt the 
painful efforts of our neighbours to do that for themselves which 
nature has so bountifully done for us, it is assuredly not unworthy, 
the attention of the proprietors of inland counties in Britain, to at- 
tempt to produce from them, either rent or profit. Under the pre~ 
sent system, the fresh waters of this country are of little use but 
to furnish amusement to the sectaries of good Isaac Walton, and 
occupation to those who create flies of which no entomologist ever 
dreamed. Amusement would not be excluded by profit. If, too, 
it is said, as it well may be, that, as an article of food, the 
fresh-water fish are inferior to those of the sea, it must also be re= 
membered that variety, no less than excellence, is one of the great 
resources, as it is one of the main pursuits, of the noble science of 
gastronomy. 
But, to be more serious, the quantity of fresh waters existing in 
Britain is so considerable, as, with the exception of Switzerland, 
to exceed those of any country in Europe. From these, no profit 
whatever is derived. A Scottish lake, under a regular system of 
fishing and care, might probably far exceed in value the miserable 
tract of bog and rock by which itis enclosed. The canals of this 
country occupy a respectable space, and might, like ponds, be 
stored with fish, to the probable advantage of the proprietors no 
less than of the community. Even the rivers are unproductive, 
with the solitary exception of salmon, and of eels; since the 
quantity of other fresh-water fish brought to market is far too in- 
significant to be an object of attention in a case like this where so 
much more might be effected. 
The objection to fishing on canals is the injury which may be 
done to the banks, That, if it really exists, would cease whenevey 
