The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-07
notion, an adjournment now took place.
American Geographical and Statistical

Society.
INTERESTING LECTURE OF DR. GESNER ON THE
FISHERIES OF NORTH AMERICA.
The stated monthly meeting of the above society was
held last evening, in the lecture of the Historical
Society, of Second and Eleventh street,
but owing to the ncemency of the weather, and the
s'brny'' condition of streets and avenues the at
tendance not very large The Rev. Dr. Hawks pre-
sided The resignation Of the Treasurer Mr.. A. Conk-
lin was announced and after the appointment of Mr. F.
Mayer his stead and the reading of the Treasurers
port Mr. Abraham Gesner, NJ D. Of Brooklyn was intro
duced to the meeting and proceeded TO deliver very
teresng and instructive address the Fisheries of
North America After sketchng the history of the
fisheries of Newfoundland and the early treaties of the
American government with Great Britain the lecturer
alluded 10 the war of1Sl2 when he stated all former
ties were abrogated and the right secured the United
states TO fish along Athe coast and harbors of British
North America, but not within three miles the shore
The treaties rather difficult be understood the
American fishermen, who cognizan of the legal
deductions to be drawn from them. Yet the American
fishermen were enterprising and rather sharp for the
Britishers. However, all the differences set
tied, and We permitted TO fish where pleased
cep in the rivers. Many of the great fishing grounds had
fallen Off but that Of the Banks of Newfoundland had
not They were for the last two hundred years. the great
vctualling emporium of the world, and had supplied all
lands. The geological formation of every country af
iected not only man. but also the creatures of and
land, and there marked difference in the fish of
North and South America, which might be attributed to
the temperature also. The North American fisheries
menced at 40 degrees north attudehe might at New
Yok-and extended in northeryidirecton TO the Polar
Sea- and the fish most abundant in The spring from
Georgia to Newfoundland. Shad kept medium po-
siton between Newfoundland and the south, and they
always frequented rivers having temperate from
so to 60 degrees He (r Gesner) was of opinion that
shad could be ken by the hook in the Hudson by using
as bait kind Of small shrimp which he had frequently
seen, and which was exactly like that upon which they
feed Between the middle of the river aud the shore he
they could be taken in large quantities with the
hook. The fish Of the north differed very much in ap
from those of the SOUTH all the souhernland
tropical fish highly colored like the coors the fly
ing dolphin They seemed to be analogous TO the birds
of the SOUTH whilst all our northern fish of dark
color, and yet their flesh is more solid and healthy
The fish was very numerous and in large quantities
along the coast of Maine and great the quantity
taken annually that was impossible to obtain the cor
rect statistics Even the farmers there caught them and
an immense number was consumed The export of fish
from New Brunswick to New York very large,
ally, and the quantity taken off the northern shores
was exceedingly large. DR.. Gesner then spoke of the
enterprise of the American fishermen, and contrased
their vessels tackle and industry with that Of the colo
nlsts OF Great Britain. Our fishermen daring,
terprising and could not be exceed and they reaped
the benefit of their industry by being successful
than the Canadian and British shermen-even the resi-
dents of Nova Scotia did properly understand fishing
In the Gulf of St. Lawrence there were nearly thou
sand OF our vessels engaged in fishing, all Of which
were successful and realized handsome profits He
sdered that the fisheries of Newfoundland of nest
mable value to the United States and he glad
that they properly appreciated. The Doctor then
gave minute and highly interesting description Of the
different fisheries along the coast from New York to the
Bay OF Canso nterspersng his remsrks with humorous
and instructive anecdotes and then referred 10 bounty
granted Dy the American government to the fgermen,
which he considered was OF the of improving
our navy by encouraging and rearing fearless and indus
trous seamen After commenting az length upon the diff
ferent classes and varieties Of fish, speaking the
OF the northern and other fishing grounds
the lecturer concluded his eloquent address amid much
applause.
Avoe Of thanks having been awarded 10 Mr. Gesner for
his address,
Mr. JAY, the part of the special committee of which
Mr. Perrepont and Mr.. Minturn also members APP
pointed to raise thousand dollars for establish
ment Of the journal of the society reported that the
was complete and proposed the following gentlemen who
had contributed fifty dollars each life members Of
society
Messrs. Adam Norre, Danl II. Arnold, George A. Ward
James Brown, +. T. Prime, John ID. Jones' Augustus
Sche Royal Phelps Reuben Withers, David THOMPSON,
James Punnett, John C. Greene, Richard Iathers. Au.
guste Belmont VIM Aymar, George Griswod, VIM H.
Fogg, A. A. Low, John c. Havemeyer, John David
Wolfe.