86 SALMON AND PISCICULTURE. 



surprised to learn that the mortality among the ova 

 was great. The gentleman in Perthshire, who oblig- 

 ingly supplied them, is in wrath, declares the Sydenham 

 naturalists " naturals," and wonders that they did not 

 " put them below a clockin ' hen ! " A facetious friend 

 observes that these unfortunate young salmon are parr- 

 boiled (parboiled ?) 



We notice this mishap as a warning to all piscicultur- 

 ists. Artificial propagation of fish is a misnomer, for 

 nature will not be tampered with. Artificial rearing of 

 fish is possible and profitable only by carefully study- 

 ing their natural habits. With this exception, we have 

 heard of no blunder in the management of salmon ova 

 deposited in breeding-troughs. 



We have tried the patience of non-piscatory readers, 

 doubtless ; but, as Christopher North has said, " We 

 love all kinds of fishing, from the minnow to the whale." 

 We remember, too, Burton's saying " If so be the 

 angler catch no fish, yet hath he a wholesome walk to 

 the brook and pleasant shade by the sweet silver 

 streams," where, amid their chosen haunts, he sees 

 the finny tribes leading, as Leigh Hunt has sung, 



"A cold, sweet, silver life, wrapped in round waves, 

 Quickened with touches of transporting fear." 



Being benevolently desirous that the poor should have 

 fish to eat, that the scientific should have fish to 

 observe, and that the angler should have fish to catch, 

 we hope our readers will pardon us for having de- 

 tained them so long contemplating the ways and doings 

 of men and fishes in fulfilling their respective lot to 

 eat and to be eaten. 



We have a concluding request to make to those 

 practically interested in the artificial rearing of fish. 

 We desiderate from them such statistics as we possess 

 regarding Stormontfield salmon and the sea -trout of 

 the Nith. Pisciculture has been introduced in various 

 localities in Scotland. What has been the result ? 



