INTBODUCTION. 



THE natural history of the salmon, previous to 

 the investigations and experiments of Messrs 

 Shaw and Young, was unknown. The general 

 opinion was that the salmon ascended the rivers 

 during the summer and autumn months, and 

 spawned in November and December; the fry 

 having been hatched in March and April, de- 

 scended the rivers as smoults in May and June 

 following. Whether our forefathers were of the 

 same opinion, we have no means of knowing ; but 

 we suspect, from the wise and salutary laws 

 which they made from time to time for the pro- 

 . tection of this fish, that they knew more about 

 its habits than was known at the commencement 

 of this century. The Act of James I.,* 1424, 

 c. 35, continued in force up to 1828, when it was 

 repealed by the Act 9 Geo. IV., c. 39 commonly 

 known as "Home Drunimond's Act/' which be- 



* See Appendix. 

 B 



