The author proposed in this paper to give more detailed observations on the salmon fisheries of England and Wales than could be done in the compass of an official report, and at the same time to add notes on the natural history of the migratory species of Salmonidæ met with in these fisheries. The first part related to the Severn and Wye.

No subject has been more legislated upon than that of the regulation of the salmon fisheries of Great Britain and Ireland; and while this indicates the importance attached to them, it has been at the same time mainly caused by the want of a correct knowledge of the facts relating to them, an ignorance of the habits and natural economy of the species, and by parties looking at one or two insulated points only, instead of viewing the subject and the various interests connected with it as one.