18 SAD EFFECT OF OVER STOCKING. 



AMICUS. Is there any obvious cause for the 

 change, supposing that, in Walton's time, they 

 deserved the reputation they had for excel- 

 lence ? Is the quality of the water altered ? 

 Is it less pure or transparent than it was ? 



PISCATOR. Still the little stream retains its 

 beauty, as regards purity and transparency. 

 The water, I fancy, is not in fault. You spoke 

 of the river as carefully preserved. My belief is, 

 strange as it may seem, that here lies the cause. 

 Let me explain. Owing to the severe restriction 

 on fishing this stream, so few fish are taken 

 from it that it is overstocked; it has more 

 in its waters than they can properly support, 

 and the consequence is, that food failing, or, 

 what is equivalent, food of a good quality, the 

 effects are exhibited in a falling off in the 

 condition of the fish. I scarcely need remind 

 you, that one rule is applicable to all living 

 things, whether animals or vegetables, of what- 

 ever class, a population or herd, trees or fishes : 

 for their proper growth, support, and well- 

 being there must be an adequate supply of 

 food, adequate space, adequate air ; stint them 

 of these, and deterioration follows. If you 

 plant too thickly and do not thin, you have 



