6 



scquently a regular series of statutory regulations in va- 

 rious reigns, down to the time of Queen Anne, all hav- 

 ing one common object, the propagation of the Salmon 

 species, and the protection of the^r^ or young brood of 

 Salmon. The act of Queen Anne, (21st September 1705, 

 cap. 11), which ratifies and approves all the former laws 

 and acts of parliament, enumerates them as being ' made 

 * anent the slaying and destroying of red-fish, smolts, and 

 < fry of Salmon? 



At the date of this act, and, indeed, for some time after 

 the Union, the modes of fishing appear to have been 

 little farther advanced than they were centuries before. 

 The fishery seems still to have been confined to the nar- 

 row rivers. It was not attempted, at least, not by any 

 efficient mode, in the friths or estuaries. And it may 

 fairly be doubted, whether it was then known that Sal- 

 mon could be caught on such stations, in any consider- 

 able numbers* 



Gradually, however, as the country awakened, and 



enterprize was encouraged, and markets were opened, 

 the fishery began to advance, particularly in the Tweed 



* medium aquae, lie streame, debet esse liberum, usquequaque 



* in tantum, adeo .quod unus porcus, trium annorum bene 

 ' pastus, posset se vertere infra filum aqua? : Ita quod neque 

 ' rostrum porci, nee cauda appropinquat sepi, vel ripae. Et 

 ' debet aqua esse libera, ita quod nemo ibidem pisces capiat, 

 ' a die Sabbathi, post vesperas, usque ad diem Lunaa post or- 



* turn solis.'- Alexander II, cap. 1 6. The Scots translation of 

 .this Statute, as given in Skene's Regiam Majestatem, bears, 

 ' that the streame of the water sail be in all parts swa free, 

 f that anc swine of the age of three zears, wecll fed, may turne 

 ' himself within the sir came, round about > swa that his snowt nor 

 ( taill sail not touch the bank of the water.' 



