172 FISHES. 



said to diminish in number, and to have retired 

 towards the foot of the lake, and that scarcity is 

 observed in all the other fishes, and is imputed to 

 the erection of so many saw mills, and to the 

 burning of tiie pine forests on the mountains, 

 which it is supposed frightens the fish into deep 

 water. The waters of Lake George are, 1 am 

 told, impregnated with lake blossom in June and 

 July. This is undoubtedly the ova and exuviae 

 of aquatic insects, from which fish derive at cer- 

 tain seasons their principal subsistence. How 

 easy to mistake for this food the Sdw dust which 

 is unquestionably the principal cause of the de- 

 struction of fish, although undoubtedly the in- 

 creased angling has had a teijdency to thin their 

 numbers, or to terrify them from the hook. This 

 fish is excellent for the three first weeks in August, 

 when it retires to the shallow waters, and feeds 

 on grass and snails. He is prepared for the 

 table by frying and boiling. Before frying it is 

 best to skin him ; and when boiled, let him be 

 thrown into hot water, and ten minutes are then 

 sufficient for this operation. 



It appears not only in this case, but in that of 

 many others, that fishes disappear for more than 

 half of the year. To what place do they retire ^ 

 From Lake George there is bo escape into othci* 

 waters. They must go into the deep waters. 



