degélé. The Oysters are then lifted upon the strong ice with rakes; the process of freezing expands the fish, and forces open the shells; the Oyster is removed, and the shells are allowed to fall back into the water, where they tend to destroy the fishery.

Some Oysters of very large size and good quality are found at Tabusintac, but those of the finest description are found on extensive beds in Shippagan Harbour, Saint Simon's Inlet, and Caraquette Bay, from which localities they are exported every season to Quebec. The number of bushels exported from the port of Caraquette during the last eight years, is as follows:—

Oysters are abundant at Cocagne, Buctouche, Richibucto Burnt Church, and other places on the coast; but in general, they are too far within the mouths of the fresh water streams, and their quality is greatly inferior to those affected by sea water only.

From the manner in which the Oyster Fishery of the Gulf Shore is now being conducted, all the Oysters of good quality will, in a few years, be quite destroyed. The preservation of this fishery is of considerable importance, and it might be affected as well by judicious regulations and restrictions, as by encouraging the formation of artificial beds, or "Layings," in favourable situations. Several persons on the coast intimated to the writer, their desire to form new and extensive beds in the sea water, by removing oysters from the mixed water of the estuaries, where they are now almost worthless, if they could obtain an exclusive right to such beds when formed, and the necessary enacments to prevent their being plundered.

There are two varieties of the Clam, distinguished as the "hardshell," and the "soft-shell." They are eaten largely in Spring, when they are in the best condition; and great quantities are used as bait for Cod. Clams are much prized by persons residing at a distance from the sea coast, and they are frequently sent into the interior, where they meet a ready sale, as they can be sold at a very low price.

The Razor fish derives its name from the shells being shaped very like the handle of a razor; the fish is well flavoured in the proper season, and not unlike the Clam, though somewhat tougher.

Crabs of all sizes, are to be had in abundance, but they are no often caught; neither are the Shrimps, which are to be seen in endless quantities. At times, the waters of the Straits of Northumberland appear as if thickened with masses of Shrimps moving about, their course being plainly indicated by the fish of all descriptions, which follow in their wake, and feed upon them greedily.

RIVER FISHERIES.

The principal Fsheries in those Rivers of New Brunswick which flow into the Gulf, in addition to the Salmon Fishery already mentioned are those for Gaspereaux, Shad, Basse and Trout. There are also Smelts, Eels, Flounders, and a great variety of small fish.

The Gaspereaux has been noticed under the head of Herring. The fish is found in almost every River, and the Gasperaux fishery has been considered of so much importance, that various Acts of Assembly have, from time to time, been passed for its regulation and protection. But these laws have either been neglected, or not properly enforced, and this fishery is rapidly declining. Very slight obstructions suffice to prevent the Gaspereaux from ascending streams to their old haunts; the dams for mills, or for driving timber, have shut them out in numerous instances from their best spawning grounds, and the greatest injury has in this way been inflicted on the fishery.

The Shad (Alosa vulgaris of Cuvier) of the Gulf, are not taken in such numbers, nor are they of so fine quality, as those caught in the Bay of Fundy; comparatively, they are dry and flavourless, owing as is said, to the sandy character of the shores of the Gulf, which are supposed to furnish less of the peculiar food of the Shad than the muddy Rivers of the Bay of Fundy, where they are taken in such high perfection. This fishery has also been mentioned in several Acts of Assembly; but the habits, and most usual resorts, of the Shad of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, have not been carefully observed. It is not improbable, therefore, that a better knowledge of the habits of the fish might lead to the fishery becoming more valuable.

The Basse, or Marine Perch, (Perca labrax of Cuvier) swim in shoals along the coast, and frequently ascend the Rivers to a considerable distance from the sea, to deposit their spawn. They are taken of all sizes up to 20 weight, or even more; but those of 3 to 5 are considered the best flavoured. They are some

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es salted, but generally they are eaten while fresh. fishery has also been attempted to be regulated and preserved by law, but evidently with very little success, as it is fast decreasing. Sad havoc is made among the Basse, in the winter season, when they lie in numerous shoals half torpid, in shallow water. A large hole is cut in the ice above them, and they are lifted out with dip nets; in this manner the Basse Fisheries, in some of the smaller Rivers, have been wholly destroyed

There are two species of Trout found in the greatest abundance in every river, stream, and brook, which finds its way from the interior of New Brunswick to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Of these, the Salmon Trout (Salmo trutta) is of the largest size, and most valuable. The common Trout (Salmo fontinalis) is taken in every possible variety, every where.

The Sea Trout, (Salmo trutta marina) seldom ascend the Rivers far above the tideway; when they first enter the estuaries early in the season, they are in the finest condition, and scarcely, if at all, inferior to Salmon. They are frequently taken of the weight of 7b, through the most usual weight is from 2 to 5. They are very abundant in June, in the Bays and Harbours o Prince Edward Island. At the Magdalen Islands they are taken in nets, and being pickled in small casks, are exported to the West Indies; if carefully cleaned, cured, and packed, they there bring a higher price than Salmon.

In the tide-way of the Rivers flowing into the Gulf, these fine fish might be taken in sufficient quantities to form an article of traffic. They afford great sport to the fly-fisher, especially when they first enter the mixed water of the tide-way in the smaller Rivers.

The common Trout (Salmo fontinalis) are also eagerly sought after by the disciples of Izaak Walton; and although destroyed in the most wanton and reckless manner by unthinking persons, they are still abundant. The destruction of these beautiful fish takes place by wholesale, upon many Rivers in the northern part of the Province, and one of the modes practised is called "rolling for trout." When the streams are at their lowest stage in the summer season, a dam of logs, stones, and brush, is roughly built at the lower end of some pool, in which the fish have congregated. This "rolling-dam" being constructed, the stream for some distance above the pool, is beaten with poles, and the fish are driven down to the deepest water, out of which they are swept with a net. CANADIAN NAT.

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VOL. IV. No. 2.

The writer was informed, that in this way 3,600 Trout had been taken out of one pool, at a single sweep of the net. In August 1848, 13,000 large Trout were thus taken out of one pool on the Scadoue River, while the writer was at Shediac. This practice is greatly to be deprecated, as by destroying fish of all sizes it completely breaks up the Trout fishery on those Rivers where it takes place.

The Smelt (Osmerus eperlanus of Cuvier, and Osmerus viridescens of Agassiz,) is found in excessive abundance in all the Rivers and Streams flowing into the Gulf. In the latter part of winter, when in the best condition, they are taken through holes in the ice, and at that season are a very great delicacy; they are then frequently called "frost-fish." Immediately after the ice disappears, they rush in almost solid columns up the brooks and rivulets to spawn, and are then taken by cart-loads. This Fishery, under proper management, might be made one of considerable profit, as the Smelt is really delicious, and always highly esteemed. It is believed that there are two distinct species of this fish, and that the smaller of the two, is more highly scented, as well as more highly flavoured, than the other.

Eels of large size and of fine quality, are taken every where within the Gulf: besides those consumed fresh, they are pickled in considerable quantities, as well for home consumption, as for exportation. Mr. Yarrell, in describing the Eel, says :-"They are in reality a valuable description of Fish; they are very numerous, very prolific, and are found in almost every part of the world. They are in great esteem for the table, and the consumption in our large Cities is very considerable."

In the calm and dark nights during August and September, the largest Eels are taken in great numbers, by the Micmacs and Acadian French, in the estuaries and lagoons, by torch light, with the Indian Spear. This mode of taking Eel requires great quickness and dexterity, and a sharp eye. It is pursued with much spirit, as besides the value of the Eel, the mode of fishing is very exciting. In winter Eels bury themselves in the muddy parts of Rivers, and their haunts, which are generally well known, are called "Eel Grounds." The mud is thoroughly probed with a five pronged iron spear, affixed to a long handle, and used through a hole in the ice. When the Eels are all taken out of that part within reach of the spear, a fresh hole is cut, and the fishing goes on again upon new ground.

If a market should be found for this description of Fish, they could be furnished to an unlimited extent.

The common Flounder (Platessa plana of Mitchel,) is found in such abundance in the Gulf, that it is used largely for manuring land. The writer has seen Potatoes being planted in hills, when the only dressing consisted of Fresh Flounders, which were used with a lavish hand. They are seldom taken by the inhabitants of the Gulf Shore, who can readily obtain so many other descriptions of Fish of superior quality. The Flounder is long lived out of the water, and bears land carriage better than most Fish; there is no reason therefore, why Flounders should not become a valuable commodity.

That the varied, extensive, and most abundant Fisheries of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, would be greatly influenced by the construction of a Railway along the Eastern Coast of New Brunswick, there cannot be a reasonable doubt; but in all probability the proposed Railway from Shediac to the Harbour of Saint John, would affect those Fisheries in an equal, if not a greater degree.

The hardy and enterprising Fisherman on the Bay of Fundy, dread the long and dangerous voyage around the whole Peninsula of Nova Scotia, to the fishing grounds of the Gulf, a voyage which frequently lasts three weeks, and is deemed by Underwriters equally hazardous with a voyage to Europe; but it is not alone the dangers of the voyage which deters them from the prosecution of these Fisheries; it is the great loss of time they occasion, and the expense they create, as these render the adventure, too often, far from profitable.

A Railway from Shediac to the Port of Saint John, which is open at all seasons of the year, would enable the various products of the Fisheries to reach a Port of shipment in four hours, and the necessity for the long voyage around Nova Scotia would be wholly obviated. The fishing vessels could winter at any of the Ports on the Gulf Shore which they found most convenient; their stores and outfit could be sent up by Railway; and they would, in such case, enjoy the advantage of being on the fishing grounds at the earliest moment in the spring, and the Fisherman could protract his labours until the winter had again fairly set in.

The fresh Salmon, packed in ice, which were sent last season, from Saint John to Boston by the steamers, owing to the facilities of transport in the United States, in three days after they left Saint John, appeared at table, in prime condition, at Albany, Buf