222 AMERICAN FISH CULTUEE. 



the marvellous fish labyrinth celebrated by Tasso still 

 exists. Without being technical, we may state that the 

 principal entrances to the various divisions of the great 

 pond — and it is divided into a great many stations — are 

 from the two rivers. A number of these entrances have 

 been constructed in the natural embankments which dyke 

 out the waters of the lagoon. Bridges have also been 

 built over all these trenches by the munificence of 

 various popes, and very strong flood-gates, worked by a 

 crank and screw, are attached to each, so as to regulate 

 the migration of the fish and the entrance and exit of the 

 waters. A very minute account of all the varied hydraulic 

 apparatus of Comucchio would only weary the reader ; but 

 I may state generally, and I speak on the authority of M. 

 Coste, that these flood-gates place at the service of the fish- 

 cultivators about twenty currents, which allow the salt 

 waters of the lagoon to mingle with the fresh waters of the 

 river. Then, again, the waters of the Adriatic are ad- 

 mitted to the lagoon by means of the Grand Palotta Canal, 

 which extends from tbe port of Magnavacca right through 

 the great body of the waters, with branches stretching to 

 the chief fishing-stations which dot the surface of this 

 inland sea, so that there are about a hundred mouths 

 always ready to vomit into the lagoon the salt water of 

 the Adriatic. 



" The entire industry of this unique place is founded on 

 a knowledge of the natural histoi-y of the particular fish 

 which is so largely cultivated there — viz., the eel. Being 

 a migratory fish, the eel is admirably adapted for cultiva- 



