At the statutory period, (10th December,) the fish are in 

 the very act of depositing their spawn ; and, for some 

 time afterwards, they are still in the upper parts of the ri- 

 vers, incapable of exertion and unfit for use. Even the pe- 

 riod observed in the North Esk, &c. (2d February), is 

 acknowledged to be too early. It is chiefly in Febru- 

 ary that the fish, after having deposited their spawn, 

 are found, under the name of foul fish, seeking their way 

 to the sea: and, while these fish are almost useless, 

 though taken, there are scarcely any others in a sound 

 state to be met with. Even in March, some of the un- 

 wholesome fish are in the fresh waters, and few sea fish 

 have entered the rivers. 



But this is not the only reason why the close-time should 

 be prolonged. The spawn does not become animated, and 

 leave theoaa, until the end of Marcher beginning of April; 

 and even in the end of April, or sometimes in the begin- 

 ning of May, theory are still in their progress to the sea. 

 Now, taking this fact in connection with the destruction 

 of the fry necessarily attendant on the present modes of 

 fishing, it is evident, that so long as those modes are 

 continued, the close season ought to be greatly pro- 

 longed. 



The mode generally in use, laying out of view the 

 cruives, at particular stations, is by the coble-net ; which 

 is a loose floating net, the upper side being buoyed up by 

 cork or blown bladders, or other means ; and the under 

 side kept upon the gravel, by ponderous weights, lead 

 or iron, or heavy knotted ropes. 



This net is used, or shot as it is termed, in different 

 ways, according to the local currents and the nature of 

 the station at which it is employed. But, in general, in the 

 upper parts of the rivers, one end being first connected 



