46 FISHES. 



leading immediately into tbe water, from whence 

 it rises gradually to a dry place, where he lies in 

 security. In winter, when the v/ater is frozen, 

 muskrats go under the ice and prey on the fish. 

 They are very destructive to trout, which is alrea- 

 dy in the canal. This animal is so useful to the 

 furriers, that a law has been enacted against kil- 

 ling il, between the first of May and the first of 

 November, except in canals and null ponds. I 

 am sure that its ravages on the canals, unless res- 

 trained by severe vigilance, will greatly exceed all 

 its benefits in making hats. 



LETTER X. 



Canandaigua, June, 1820. 

 My dear Sib, 



" Of all minerals, said Bacon, there is none 

 like the fisheries." And I assure 3^ou that these pre- 

 cious commodities abound in the western waters. 



The ticamang, or white fish are taken in great 

 numbers about the falls of St. Mary's at the foot 

 of Lake Superior, particularly in the autumn, 

 when that fish leaves the lakes and comes to the 

 running and shallow waters to spawn. It weighs 

 from four to sixteen pounds. So says Mackenzie 

 the Scotch traveller ; and Mr. Rathbone, a very 



