APPENDICES 



TO THE 



REPORT BY THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO 

 INQUIRE INTO THE SALMON DISEASE, 



1879-80. 



APPENDIX No. I. 

 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 



Town Hall, Dumfries, Tuesday, September 23rd, 1879. 



Present: 



Frank Buckland, Spencer Walpole, and Archibald Young, 



Esquires. 



W. Francis Hunter Arundell, Barjarg, Dumfries. — Is a proprietor DUMFRIES. 



of fishings in the Nith. Has observed disease among the salmon since last 



year. Saw something similar to the present disease 12 years ago. It was 

 on two salmon 12 miles above Dumfries, i.e., in non-tidal water. Observed it 

 on kelts last year early in the spring, but had heard of it before then. The 

 fish were covered with fungus. They were kelts. The fungus had eaten into 

 the flesh, beginning generally at the head. 



Opened one or two fish, but not having sufficient knowledge failed to detect 

 anything amiss internally. 



The fish showed great discomfort as they were throwing themselves out of 

 the water, or lying on the top, or near the side, dying. Picked up several from 

 a boat. 



The disease began, and was observed principally, among the kelts. Cannot 

 say whether males or females were mostly attacked. 



River trout and grayling were also affected. The grayling were clean 

 fish. 



Has not seen the disease since the spring of this year. It lasted last year 

 till the end of June and beginning of July. As the summer advanced the 

 disease vanished. It died away very early this year. Has not seen it since 

 April. 



The stock of fish has not been reduced. There are more fish this year than 

 ever. 



The Nith is quite pure where he observed the disease. It is polluted at 

 Dumfries, but is altogether one of the cleanest rivers there is. The disease can- 

 not be attributed to pollution. Polluted rivers exist where there is no disease. 



•Cannot say whether the disease first appeared above or below his property. 

 Heard of it from all quarters, and in the Annan as well as the Nith. 



[Specimens produced of salmon affected with Saprolegnia Ferax, prepared and 

 lent by Mr. Stirling, of Edinburgh University Museum.] 



Cannot say how soon the disease proves fatal. Has formed no opinion 

 on the point, and the more he hears the less he understands. Is satisfied it is 

 not caused by pollution. Cannot say, except from hearsay, if it has been 

 P 712. 



