ECONOMIC USE OF FISH. 93 



even in Man himself. By a careful investigation of 

 the circumstances which favour its propagation, the 

 breeders of silk-worms have been able greatly to 

 diminish the mortality caused by the Muscardine ; 

 and no one can predicate how far useful know- 

 ledge acquired under one set of circumstances, will 

 finally prove beneficial in others which are more 

 important. 



ECONOMIC USE OF FISH. 



We now proceed to make a few remarks on the 

 economic use of fish, a wide and important branch 

 of the subject, as it bears on the Cultivating and 

 Distributing r , as well as the Catching of fishes, mat- 

 ters of interest not only to individuals, but to the 

 community at large. The topic of the catching of 

 fish, or Fisheries, we need not remark, is of national 

 importance, bearing directly on a nations marine ; 

 also on its population, fishing communities being 

 generally characterized for their prosperity, sobriety 

 and worth ; the proceeds of whose hardy toils, well 

 directed, readily become a source of general pros- 

 perity, even in inland districts, and among the im- 

 poverished population of crowded cities. 



On the subjects of the Cultivation and Distribution 

 of this most wholesome and nourishing food, very 

 much, we think, remains to be done ; a proposition 

 which may fairly be illustrated by a reference to the 

 somewhat parallel and more familiar topic of Agri- 

 culture. The natural fertility of different regions 



