72 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



I think it, myself, far more probable that they were poisoned, and 

 driven from the head-waters and tributaries, in which they were wont 

 to spawn, by the sawdust, especially of the hemlock ; and that the 

 stock which were used to run up these estuaries having become extinct, 

 the traditional instinct is lost, and there are no fish left which know 

 the way to our waters. 



If this be a true reason and, the known instinct of the animal con- 

 sidered, it is as plausible a conjecture as any other it is certain that 

 many rivers, whose waters a few years ago ran turbid with sawdust, 

 and whose every tributary resounded to the clack of the saw-mill, now 

 again run as limpid as ever, and are guiltless of saws, as well as of the 

 timber to supply them. 



I contend, therefore, that there is no analogy against, but much in 

 favor of the possibility of restocking the Southern rivers of the Mid- 

 dle States with Salmon, which should return, and breed in them, year 

 after year. 



Nor, looking to the vast profit directly arising from such fisheries, 

 can I doubt, particularly when regarding the action of the New York 

 Legislature in regard to a fish so comparatively worthless as the Carp, 

 that, could such a thing be effected as the recolonization of our rivers 

 with Salmon fry, some action of the legislatures would ensue for their 

 protection, until such time as they could be fairly naturalized. 



Whether this be feasible or not, it is certain, that to every inland 

 spring-lake, from the western line of Pennsylvania to their easternmost 

 and northernmost limits, every variety of Brook Trout and Lake Trout 

 can be introduced with ease, and at a trivial expense ; nor these only, 

 but the true Salmon likewise. And I strongly believe that, when the 

 extreme simplicity of the method, and facility of the means, become 

 generally known, the true Salmon will be introduced, at least, into 

 the lakes of Hamilton County, as well as into many other inland 

 waters. In fact, running as he does now into Ontario, there is no 

 reason why he should not be safely lodged, beyond the power of re- 

 turning, above Niagara, and compelled to fill Erie, Michigan, Huron, 

 and Superior with his noble race. 



A few years since, he found his way into Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, 

 and if modern improvements heavens ! how I loathe that word ! 

 have not excluded him, he finds his way there yet. and thence might 



