the salmon. 
*53 
James IV. killing this fifh was made capital after the 
third offence ; before that period, the culprit might re- 
deem his life *. 
Various caufes have of late operated to the prejudice 
of the Britijh trade in this important article. The great 
increafe of the Newfoundland fifhery has reduced the 
price of falmon in the foreign markets, while the gradual 
jncreafe of knowledge throughout F.urope has led to a 
much greater relaxation in the difcipline of the Romijb 
church, and particularly in the article of abftinence ; a 
regimen which is daily lofing credit as a fpiritual reftor- 
ative. And to thefe circumftances we may alfo add, the 
great improvement in agriculture that has every where 
taken place in thefe kingdoms within the laft fifty years ; 
which, by the frequent application of lime upon the foil, 
has probably greatly diminifhed the number of falmon, 
as well as of other river filhes. 
The Sea-trout f« 
This ipecies is larger than the common, and differs from 
it in its habits and colour, as well as in fize. It annually 
migrates like the falmon, from the fea ; and after having 
depofited its fpawn, it again returns to its favourite refi- 
dence in the ocean. The fhape is more thick than that 
of the river-trout, and its weight fometimes above three 
pounds. 
* Vide Regiam Majeft. Rob. III. cap. 7. 
t Salnio Trutta, Lin. Syft, Trutia Saimonata, Will, 
1 
