484 Dr KNOX on the Natural History of 



observed, of nine inches, whilst frequenting the upper streams of 

 fresh water rivers, until its growth in the sea to the size of the 

 grilse, and its return again into the fresh waters, we really know 

 nothing. Many excellent observers, and amongst others my 

 friend Mr BUIST, consider this part of the natural history of the 

 salmon to be perfectly made out. I can assure him that there 

 is not a single authentic observation on record respecting it. 

 The stories of fin cutting, notching, marking, &c. of the smolt, 

 and the return of these same marked fish as grilse or salmon, are, 

 so far as I know, beneath all criticism. There is nothing in their 

 history, which in the slightest degree merits the name of au- 

 thentic : and we take the liberty of requesting the special atten- 

 tion of practical fishermen to this circumstance. Having de- 

 scribed the spawning of salmon towards the sources of clear 

 mountain streams, many might imagine that, agreeable to my opi- 

 nion, they can spawn no where else. Now, in point of fact, I en- 

 tertain no such theory ; but having no proper series of observa- 

 tions to proceed on, as no such indeed exists anywhere to my 

 knowledge, I cannot say to what extent salmon may spawn in 

 brackish water, or within the reach of the tide-way, nor what 

 may become of the ova so deposited. On this, as on many other 

 points in the natural history of the salmon, we require not gene- 

 ral opinions, founded partially or altogether on hearsay or con- 

 jecture ; but a " journal of observations," conducted by a person 

 competent to the task, devoid of all local interest, connected 

 neither with river or coast proprietors, a person, in short, whose 

 sole object is the investigation of truth. The journal of an indi- 

 vidual of this kind will stand the test of the investigation of such 

 a Committee of the House of Commons, as sat during the years 

 1824 and 1825, whose questions prove them competent to investi- 

 gate and judge ; and we will take it upon us to say, that unless 

 such steps are taken, no other kind of evidence will ever stand 

 the test of a similar Committee in any future attempt which 



