CERTAIN INFLUENCES ON THE MIGRATION OF FISHES. 99 



to see what the other fish would do. I thought it extremely probable he would go 

 upstream and try to find another female. But instead of that he dropped down into 

 tbe next pool further downstream, and remained there two days and two nights; on 

 the third night he dropped down three pools further, then into another pool further 

 downstream, and from there he journeyed seawards. 



Fish having spawned evidently have a desire to get away to sea again, and I 

 believe it is owing to their often not being able to get away with sufficient rapidity 

 that they are attacked by the horrible fungous (Saprolegnia) disease which abounds 

 in our rivers during some seasons. 



One remarkable occurrence which I observed was the sudden appearance in the 

 stream of four spent female fish, which, I was perfectly satisfied, had not been in the 

 stream before. I concluded that they were fish from the main river, which had 

 descended that river after spawning and, for some reason or other, took a run up this 

 tributary for about three miles. 



When observations of this kind are made on most of our streams, and reports 

 sent in to some central committee, to be investigated and classified, as has already 

 been done in the case of birds — when all those who are personally interested in our 

 fisheries bestir themselves and investigate the facts in connection therewith, or place 

 facilities in the way of others who can do it for them, then we can expect to unravel 

 the mysteries of nature. 



That salmon often return year after year, not only to the same stream, but to 

 the same spawning bed, is a well-ascertained fact. The case has a striking parallel 

 amongst birds, as, for instance, in that of the swallow. But there is a very large field 

 for inquiry into these interesting matters, and I hope the foregoing remarks may be 

 the means of stimulating others to the good work, which the scientist or the tyro will 

 alike find productive of much enjoyment, whilst they will have the satisfaction of 

 knowing that the result of their researches may be of much value to those who have 

 to deal with our fisheries and the important questions concerning them. 



