54 INDIAN FISH AND FISHING. 



appear to relish fish-eggs, and to be by no means averse to 

 occasionally devouring the fry. 



Considerable discussion occurred respecting the condition 

 of the fresh-water fisheries in India,, some high officials sug- 

 gesting that a falling-off in the quantity is no reason for 

 legislative interference, unless it could be demonstrated that 

 a danger existed of annihilation. The Viceroy summed up the 

 question in the following suggestive sentences : — " Is the 

 present plan of non-interference likely to ensure to future 

 generations the fullest possible supply of this food staple ? 

 Is it even such as to ensure their inheriting a supply equal 

 to that which now exists ? The Governor-General in Council 

 apprehends that both these questions must be answered in 

 the negative, and that not only is there no prospect, as 

 matters now stand, of an increased supply hereafter, but 

 that, owing to the absence of precautionary measures and 

 reasonable restrictions, the existing supply is diminishing." 



Were poisoning of the fresh-water forms to be prohibited, 

 the sale of fry be rendered illegal, and traps and nets placed 

 under control, an immense increase in the amount of the 

 fresh-water fish would be a certain result Here I must 

 refer to an experiment which has been made in India for 

 the purpose of protecting fisheries. If no destructive waste 

 was existing prior to the commencement of protective 

 measures, no augmentation of the fish would have become 

 apparent ; if, however, very beneficial results have ensued, 

 there does not appear any reason why such should not 

 be extended elsewhere. In South Canara, Mr. H. S. 

 Thomas observed that it may be doubted whether poisoning 

 rivers or the wholesale destruction of fry is most injurious 

 to fisheries ; while prohibiting the finer and closely-woven 

 bamboo cruives has been that the most ignorant, and there- 

 fore the most obstinate opponents, have been convinced by 



