land, and, perhaps, more particularly the experience of 

 the last four or five years, on the northern parts of 

 the east coast, has, however, opened the eyes of many, 

 and displayed a source of national wealth and national 

 strength, which was before unknown. And, as a convic- 

 tion of the great importance of the fishery, must spread 

 wider and wider every day, there can be no doubt, that, 

 sooner or later, the attention of the Legislature must be 

 directed to it. 



The modes of Salmon fishing in use in Scotland, were, 

 until within the last thirty years, extremely rude and in- 

 artificial ; and were adapted only to the narrow rivers. 

 There was, indeed, it may be said, no Salmon fishing in 

 the friths or estuaries, none of the modes in use, being 

 suited for such situations, 



The most simple mode was by the moveable net or seine^ 

 still in use, generally known by the name of the c&ble-net* 

 But the indolence of a rude people naturally looked for a 

 fixed apparatus, which would perform its work without the 

 necessity of constant attendance ; and, accordingly, such an 

 engine seems to have been early resorted to in most rivers. 



The oldest of which we have any account, was call- 

 ed a croe, or cruive ; examples of which, supported by 

 prescriptive usage or special grant, are still in exist- 

 ence. It consisted of a dike, or solid mound of earth, 

 stone, or wood, running across the river from bank 

 to bank, wherein, at intervals, were placed certain pieces 

 of machinery for detaining and entangling the fish in 

 their transit up and down the river.* This dike or 



* It has been said, that, properly speaking, it was to this 

 machinery, inserted in the mound or dike, that the name of 



