oo: 



Migration and Return of Fish, 



finally abandon the river ; and are there no more seen. 

 This remark not only applies to the salmon ; but to 

 every species offish. 



I have mentioned the foregoing facts, merely as in- 

 cidents in natural history. They show, that the law- 

 definition of fera natura, whose characteristical pro- 

 perties are, by lawyers, said to be, that they are erra- 

 tic, and do not possess the animus revertendi^ is not 

 correct. Beasts have the like propensities to seek 

 their native homes, Wiih fishy or birds. But all of them 

 will change their haunts, or places of breeding and re- 

 sort ; when uncommon circumstances occur. 



Neither have I, here, any view to plans for dam- 

 ming rivers, for carrying on internal navigation. If the 

 fish, in streams devoted to such purposes, are less va- 

 luable than the object aimed at ; it is said to be an af- 

 fair of calculation, (however much their destruction is 

 to be lamented,) for those interested ; and an object of 

 compensation to the sufferers. At least, it is thought 

 so, by those who sacrifice the bountiful gifts of nature, 

 to gainful pursuits. Public benefits, may overbalance 

 private considerations. But the advantages, in this re- 

 spect, ought to be extensive, and evident; and their 

 accomplishment should be certain. Otherwise the fish 

 of a whole river may be destroyed ; and the professed 

 public benefits never attained. Canals leave the fish- 

 eries uninjured ; and afford the safest and surest navi- 

 gation. The BEDS OF RIVERS, subjcct to floods and 

 their consequences, are generally avoided by Europe- 

 an hydraulic engineers. The famous Brinley, in 

 his examination before the house of commons, in Eng- 

 land^ having spoken slightly of river navigation, was 



