110 THE HEW ART OF BEEEDING FISH. 



which, however, those of Luculius produced no less, 

 than four million sesterces, at a sale where presided 

 Cato of Utica, in quality of tutoj to the son of this 

 famous epicurean. The care of these immense reser- 

 voirs would be confided to the customs officers of the 

 coast, and would not involve, consequently, expense 

 beyond that of fishing in the waters. 



While these measures were taken to secure the 

 multiplication of salt-water fish, it would natiu-ally 

 lead to the means of selling them for consumption at 

 a price so moderate, that districts farthest off from 

 their production could compete for having a supply 

 of such alimentation for the laboring classes. You 

 will find, sir, on this question materials for documents 

 of great importance in practical details, from time 

 immemorial, on the marshes of Commachio, whose 

 waters are constantly changed by the flux and reflux 

 of the Adriatic. There a population of about four 

 hundred men, disciplined as if aboard ship, is occu- 

 pied the year round, in fishing and preparing fish for 

 all parts of Italy, with which they have a large com- 

 merce. It would be useful, then, to know the pro- 

 cedures by which they arrive at this last point. 

 Accept, Sir, the assurance of my most 



distinguished consideration. Coste. 



