328 APPENDIX. 



taken at from 50 to 75 per cent, above the wholesale 

 price. 



We may remark, by the way, that as by far the 

 largest portion of the salmon made use of in London 

 comes from Scotland, the above statement shows that its 

 consumption in the metropolis is not nearly so great as is 

 generally supposed. In fact, it is little used except by 

 the more opulent classes ; and nothing that is not 

 generally used by the middle classes, or by them and 

 the lower, is ever of much importance. The little influ- 

 ence over prices caused l>y a large increase of supply, is 

 also a striking feature in this return. 



Decrease of the Supply of Salmon, Poaching, etc. 



The decrease of salmon in the English and Scottish 

 rivers, particularly of late years, is a fact about which 

 there can be no manner of doubt (Report of Committee 

 of House of Commons on Scottish Salmon Fishing in 

 1843.) Much unsatisfactory discussion has taken place 

 as to its causes, which are probably of a very diversified 

 character. A good deal has been ascribed to the increase 

 of water-machinery on the banks of the different rivers; 

 but we hardly think that this could have much influence, 

 except, perhaps, in the smaller class of rivers. Weirs, or 

 salmon traps, as they are called, have also been much 

 objected to; though, as we have been assured, with still 

 less reason. On the whole, we are inclined to think, 

 that the falling off in the supply of this valuable fish, 

 is principally to be ascribed to the temptation to over fish 

 the rivers, caused by the high price of salmon to the 

 prevalence of poaching and, more than all, to the too 

 limited duration of the close time. In 1828, after a 

 great deal of discussion and inquiry, an act was passed 



