232 MARITIME PISCICULTURE. 



tected from destruction, or conducted, as at Comacchio, 

 to reservoirs where they might be converted into har- 

 vests of alimentary substances. This animated matter, 

 when carefully examined, is found to be composed of 

 thread-like animalcules the young of eels, soles, plaice, 

 mullets, &c. These periodical migrations are termed 

 montee, and last from February to April or May, ac- 

 cording to the temperature, or difference of climates. 

 Three-fourths of our terraqueous globe consisting of 

 water, the quantity of alimentary substance derivable 

 from fish is inconceivably great, if communities would 

 only wisely avail themselves of the bounties of Provi- 

 dence. But they either neglect or recklessly waste 

 them, so that it is by no means rare to hear of the 

 young of the salmon and of the herring being caught 

 in such quantities as to be converted into manure. The 

 proceedings at Comacchio are a standing protest against 

 such wasteful follies. The whole lagoon has, with in- 

 credible labour, been intersected by dykes and sluices 

 and canals communicating both with the sea and with 

 the rivers Reno and Volano, so as to form a hydraulic 

 apparatus, the whole or any part of which can be put 

 into operation at pleasure. M. Coste declares that its 

 productiveness is unlimited, if to their ancient usages 

 these fishermen were to add those of artificial impreg- 

 nation, with which he has made them acquainted. 



Five hundred men are employed in this species of 

 industry, and are subjected to the most rigid discipline ; 

 living together in barracks, and at common tables, the 

 staple food being their daily allowance of 1J- Ib. of fish, 

 chiefly eels, grilled and seasoned only with their own 

 fat, and which M. Coste found not only very delicate 

 but also very digestible. 



The seeding of the lagoon commences every year, on 

 the 2d February, by the opening of all the sluices, 

 this being the period when the newly - hatched fish 

 begin their annual ascent. The Papal Government at 

 this season rigorously prohibits the use of small-meshed 



