LAC EMMURAILLfi 



the largest caught was within a fraction of 

 three pounds, and he was indeed a handful. 

 By 1915 they had multiplied exceedingly, 

 few of the original lot were left, the aver- 

 age began to fall, but the fish were still in 

 fine condition. One change of habit was 

 observed. Whereas in the beginning they 

 ran down the decharge at the spawning- 

 time and completely deserted the lake in 

 September, they now spawned in any corner 

 that suited them. At this time population 

 and the means of subsistence were balanc- 

 ing very nicely. Had it been possible to 

 maintain this equilibrium, the fishing 

 would have remained as perfect as man 

 could desire, but such is not the way 

 of nature. No angler was at hand in 1916 

 to throw his weight into the scale, which, 

 by 1917, had tipped decisively under free 

 operation of the Malthusian law. 1918 

 saw the average fall still lower to a bare 

 three-fourths of a pound, while a trout of 

 a pound and a half became a prize. Fur- 

 thermore, there was a detectable loss of 

 vigour and fighting quality. Nine years 

 in a lake supplying an unusual plenty of 

 food, without any restriction on increase, 

 completed the cycle. The trout were now 

 numerous beyond the point of being able 

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