103 



of seeing the whole process of spawning performed. The female 

 fish, after being relieved of their ova, swam away quite lively, 

 and each was marked by punching a hole in the tail.' The same 

 disparity between the quantity of males and females was 

 observed in Ireland. The males were found to be in the pro- 

 portion of 1 to 14 at Lough Corrib ; but we mention this only 

 incidentally, having no intention, in the present paper to enter 

 into the salmon controversy, or to trace the young fish further 

 than its birth. 



I have also copied a very excellent paper which more 

 particularly concerns the people of this country. It is 

 from the pen of one who thoroughly understands the sub- 

 ject : 



The Decrease, Restoration and Preservation of Salmon in 

 Canada. By the Rev. William Agar Adamson, 

 D. C. L. Read before the Canadian Institute, De- 

 cember 6th, 1856. 



Brillat Savarin, in his " Physiologic du Gout," asserts 

 that the man who discovers a new dish does more for the 

 happiness of the human race than he who discovered the 

 Georgium Sidus. If this be true, then he who could devise 

 means for the preservation and increase of an old, whole- 

 some and highly coveted article of food would not labor 

 in vain, nor would, I imagine, his endeavors be despised by 

 the members of the Canadian Institute, however humble 

 his abilities, and however unskilled he might be unscienti- 

 fic lore. Actuated by this belief, as well as desirous to res- 

 pond to the demand for co-operation among the members 

 of the Canadian Institute, I would venture to lay before 

 you some notes upon the decrease, restoration, and preser- 

 vation of the Salmon (Salmo Salar) in Canada, 



