152 



ABSTRACT OF EVIDENCE 



of largest size ; the gilse that has spawned after re- 

 turning from the sea is called a salmon ; growth of 

 salmon in the sea not accurately known ; all fish- 

 eries have decreased in England, Scotland, and 

 Ireland. The simple remedies for this national evil 

 are : 



NOTES. 



earth ; not one thrush, but all thrushes, wherever thrushes 

 exist ; the blackbird, at all places, lines his nest with small 

 fibres or roots. Why or for what purpose this universal 

 distinction exists we know not; but as it is instinctive in the 

 animal, it is our duty to believe that the principle is placed 

 in him for somewise purpose: nevertheless, we cannot 

 suppose but that the eggs of a blackbird could be hatched 

 in the nest of a thrush, and so vice versa ; as we know that 

 it is common in Egypt to hatch eggs in ovens ; and it is 

 possible that eggs are capable of being hatched in still water, 

 though it is the instinct of the fish generally, if not always, 

 to prefer running streams. Trout confined in ponds never 

 breed, but grow to a great size. But what will the world 

 say to the following fact, for fact it is, because my in- 

 formant, a man of credit, will verify it on oath ; and he has 

 no interest in saying what is untrue. Though it is a com- 

 mon saying, that one had better tell a probable lie than an 

 improbable truth, yet a truth should never be withheld be- 

 cause it is improbable. The fact related is this: a few years 

 ago my informant says that he, with two more, caught 

 two salmon in rather a poaching way ; one of the fish 

 weighed six pounds, which they gave to their assistant ; 

 the other was a very large fish of about 20 pounds weight* 

 both apparently in high and seasonable condition. He 

 and his companion kept the large fish, and divided it ; the 



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