Miscellanies. 151 



ness solely; without the least advancement by speculation. His ac- 

 count of the fish in this river, may aid the naturalist more or less ; 

 and he may rely upon Mr. A. as one of those who have the most 

 scrupulous regard for truth. — Mr. A.'s statement. 



Sixty years ago, the sturgeon, [Acipencer sturio,) and the common 

 herring, [Clupea pseudo-haringus,) were the principal fish which 

 came up as high as this place, (one hundred and fifty seven miles 

 north of New York Bay, and one hundred and seventy seven from 

 the Atlantic ocean.) Here the lock and dam were built between six 

 and seven years ago, to improve the navigation. As the rapid was 

 always an obstruction to sloops, when the water was low ; it may be 

 considered as the natural head of navigation. But boats could run 

 up thirty three miles higher, to Fort Miller Fall. After passing that 

 fall, boats could ascend to the Great Fall at Fort Edward, called 

 Baker's Fall, ten miles higher. 



Mr. Adams says, that herring fishery was worth but little when he 

 commenced fishing ; because they were so plenty, that in many pla- 

 ces, particularly along the shores and in the little creeks above Still- 

 water, farmers could drive their waggons into shoal water, and fill 

 them in a short time, with a common scoop-net. But almost imme- 

 diately after Gen. Schuyler erected a dam across the Saratoga Creek, 

 about fifty six years ago, the herring began to diminish, and have 

 continued to diminish yearly. Mr. A. supposed that their grand de- 

 posit for spawn, up the Saratoga Creek, was then broken up. 



Sturgeons were in great abundance here half a century ago. 1 saw 

 forty eight lie on the shore two years ago, at one time, (the shortest 

 five feet, the longest nine feet,) which were caught in the space of 

 three hours ; and Mr. A. told me, that this vt^ould have been con- 

 sidered but an ordinary case, even thirty years ago, and that they 

 had been diminishing yearly, for more than fifty years. 



Bass [Perca labrax) were much more plenty half a century asio, 

 than now ; and pike were not uncommon, though now very rare. 



It appears then, that herring, sturgeon and bass, have greatly di- 

 minished ; and he says, that suckers, chubs, eels, sun-fish, and other 

 fresh water fish, have neither increased nor diminished, materially. 



The principal object of this article remains. It is the history of 

 the shad, (Clupea sapidissima.) This fish is from thirteen to nine- 

 teen inches long, and weighs, before dressing, on an average, about 

 five pounds. Seventy will generally fill a barrel, when dressed. 

 When fresh, it is of a most delicious flavor ; when pickled, it is not 



