56 



be produced by the spawners, in each considerable river, are 

 far beyond the power of calculation. Indeed, every season 

 we have evidence of it, in the countless myriads of smolts 

 which, in all our rivers, are to be found pursuing their 

 course to the sea. 



Looking in this way to the altogether unlimited extent 

 of propagation, it is absurd to suppose that even the most suc- 

 .cessful fishery could affect the existence of the species. By a 

 proper regulation of the close time, let every obstacle only be 

 removed, whereby the breeders are prevented from reach- 

 ing the spawning ground ; let the spawn be kept undisturb- 

 ed after it has been deposited ; and, finally, let the 

 fry be protected in their descent to their natural element, 

 the ocean; and during the fishing season, when there will 

 thus be neither spawn, nor fry, nor breeders, to be affected, 

 the most extensive and powerful modes of fishing may be 

 freely indulged in/ without the most distant danger to the 

 species. Indeed, under a properly regulated system of this 

 description, there will be infinitely less danger of the Sal- 

 mon becoming extinct, than under that now in operation ; 

 because, for every full grown fish that would then be 

 caught, millions would be saved, which are at present des* 

 troyed, almost in embryo. 



Why, then, it is asked, should there be any prohibition of 

 the stake-net mode of fishing ? Nay, since no valid objec- 

 tion can be urged against it, why should not its operation 

 be at once extended in the freest manner, and the protec- 

 ting arm of the law be stretched out in its favour, so as to 

 place it, at the very least, upon a footing of fair and equal 

 competition with those other modes, which at present en- 

 joy all the exclusive privileges of a monopoly ? Is it in 



