FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 



227 



the race, the individuals should be killed before they spawn. This means that they 

 should either be caught while running up stream or taken from the nests while first 

 constructing them, and before spawning. Even knowing this, the subject of " How it 

 is to be done " is of the utmost importance. One savant writes: " Nothing could be 

 easier. Simply catch them while going up to spawn," etc. But when we consulted 

 with him about the details of his plans, he could offer none excepting the probable 

 one of constructing a pond beside the stream, and turning the lampreys into it as they 

 run up stream. Since the lampreys, in running, always work against the current, and 



NO, 13. — LIFE AND DEATH. 



as there is no current in such a place, it can be seen that this plan would be impracti- 

 cable. In searching literature for help out of our dilemma, we were forced to conclude 

 that the printed suggestions upon the practical side of this subject, and the degree of 

 ease and certainty with which these suggestions can be executed, reminded us of the 

 story of the mice that planned to bell the cat. 



From a suggestion of Dr. H. M. Smith, of the United States Fish Commission, 

 that the principle of the fyke might be used in this work, we decided to construct 

 a weir with wings extending entirely across the Inlet, and catch everything that ran 

 up. Selecting a suitable site about three miles from the lake, and at the lowest point 

 the lampreys spawn, we obtained, permission of the Messrs. Van Orman Brothers to 

 construct a weir and erect a watchman's house on their property. We also computed 



