516 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Borne. Their near relatives, the weasel, Mvstela vulgaris, M. erminea, and 

 the polecat, M. putorius, cannot be trusted either. 



It must also be mentioned that some members of the bear family are 

 fond not only of honey, but also of fish. 



We have thus quickly passed through the whole animal kingdom, 

 and have arrived at the last and most dangerous, because most intelli- 

 gent, enemy of fish, namely, man. 



Ignorance and covetousness have in many parts of the country re- 

 duced the number of fish to a minimum, and nothing but ef&cient fish- 

 ery-laws and rational pisciculture can remedy the evil. The German 

 Fishery-Law and the German Fishery Association have opened out a new 

 era for the German fisheries. On this foundation, which has been laid 

 by the best men of our country, we must all build according to our 

 ability. As our revered president has remarked, " there should be a 

 hatching-box near every water-mill." Only united activity will bring 

 us nearer to our object — to raise the general .welfare of our nation. 



