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CHAPTER V. 



THE SALMON FISHERY. 



Salmon formerly common in the Thames — Statistics of salmon brought to 

 London — Value of the salmon fisheries in 1871 — Sales at Billingsgate — 

 Salmon fisheries of Norway, Canadian Dominion, etc. — Acclimatization 

 in Australia. 



At present one of the most esteemed fish is the salmon 

 {Salmo salor). In the reign of Richard I. (i 197), the Thames 

 is described as containing " remarkably good salmon ; " and 

 even early in the present century the Thames abounded 

 with salmon of the finest quality. " Thames salmon " then 

 bore a higher price than that obtained from most other 

 streams, and so copious was once the supply, that in the 

 olden time it was usual to insert a clause in the indentures 

 of London apprentices, that they should not be fed upon 

 salmon more than a certain number of days in the month. 

 Then came the time when the river water became impure. 

 Not only was the population of the metropolis enormously 

 increased, but, being well sewered, its vast network of 

 drains poured their contents (by the authority of an Act 

 of Parliament) into the river. Then gas-works were made, 

 and their ammoniacal water still further poisoned the 

 stream. Against these impurities the salmon could not 

 contend ; they gradually, and at length totally, disappeared 

 from the waters of our queen of rivers. 



