STURGEON-FISHING. 



193 



stranded. With strong cords and a yoke of oxen, you 

 may then draw them ashore in safety. 



On the Garonne, and other French rivers, the fishery 

 begins in February, and lasts until July, August, or even 

 September. A large net is dragged between a couple of 

 boats, each manned by three or four men. As soon as a 

 fish is caught, a rope is passed across its ears and round 





TOWING STURGEON. 



its throat, and it is moored to one of the boats. This 

 process continues until a sufficient number has been cap- 

 tured, when they are towed to Bordeaux and disposed of. 

 But the chief seat of the sturgeon-fishery is in Russia, 

 where there are two seasons, a winter and a spring one. 

 It begins in January, and is inaugurated with a grand 

 ceremonial. The day being publicly notified, formal in- 

 vitations are addressed to all whom it may concern. 



