606 REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The t^o devices patented by J. D, Brewer, (Plate XXFI, fiff. G, first 

 device; Plate XXXII, same iu operation; Plate XXXFII, second de- 

 vice,) of Pennsylvania, are combinations of oblique j^rooves sunk in an 

 inclined plane, and conducting streams of water in a zigzag conrse down 

 to the water below. Tbe tirst* provides for a single simple stieau), 

 turned by very sharp angles. In the second, the stream is divided at 

 regular distances into two, which, after running out to the opposite sides 

 of the fish-way, are brought again together iu the center. Both are de- 

 signed to be used at various stages of water, even when a considerable 

 volume is pouring over them. In the latter cTise, the tendency will be 

 toward a violent rotary motion in the grooves ; and at all stages of water 

 there is danger of the velocity of the current and the violent boiling 

 of the angles being too hard for fish to encounter. 



4. — STEP-FISH- WAYS. 



The peculiarity of all the devices grouped under this head is a level 

 floor to each division of the fish-way, the descent being accomi)lislied by a 

 succession of falls or steps. The common form of the divisions is nearly 

 square, but in Steck's and Pike's they are long and narrow. What is com- 

 monly known as the old "pool"' fish-way (Plate XXII, Fig. 4) consists of a 

 number of boxes, placed iu a series below the apex of the dam in such a way 

 that the water i)Ours over the top of each box iuto the next below it 'in 

 a succession of cascades. The width of the sheet is equal to the length 

 of one whole side of a box. This device has been tried in various British 

 rivers, but has proved unsatisfactory'. In America it has been tried, 

 and, wherever tested, found radically defective. When the water is 

 high, its motion in the boxes becomes so violent that no fish can stay 



^ Brewers Iniprovcinent in Chutes and Fish-wai/s. — United States Patent-Office. — James D. 



Brewer, of Muucij. 



(Specification fonniug part of letters-patent No. 126257, dated April 30, 1S72.) 



To all whom it may concern : 



Be it known that I, James D. Brewer, of Muncy, in the county of Lycoming, and 

 State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and nsefnl improvements in chutes 

 for the passage of fish; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and 

 exact desi-ription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the 

 letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. 



The nature of my invention consists in a series of isosceles or equilateral triangles 

 extending from the opposite side-walls of the chute of a dam, and laid in the bottom 

 thereof so as to form a zigzag course, and leaving an open space for the passage of fish 

 up and down said chute. 



In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make 

 and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, refer- ■ 

 ring to the annexed drawing, in which is represented a perspective of my chute. 



A represents the bottom, and B B the side-walls of the chute of a dam. On the bot- 

 tom A, and extending from the side walls B B, are laid a series of isosceles or equilate- 

 ral triangles, C C, forming a zigzag course, and leaving an open space, a, of about 

 twelve inches wide, more or less, for the passage of the fish up and down the chute. 

 The triangles C C are laid on two stringers, which extend up and down the chute, and 



