lo THE HABITS OF THE SALMON. 



further details must lead to the inference that the 

 increased numbers of the early running fish may 

 fairly be attributed to the fact of there having been 

 on the spawning beds an increased number of early 

 fish. 



Assuming that the sole object of salmon in entering 

 fresh water and making for the upper reaches is to 

 reproduce their species, it is highly improbable that 

 they would so soon take what is often a long and 

 difficult passage, if they have to return to sea in order 

 to enable them to develop their eggs. Is it not more 

 probable that they are instinctively inclined to make 

 the long voyage when they are unencumbered with 

 spawn, and consequently in better condition for 

 travelling ^ Ova, although discernible in embryo, 

 are never found developed in early ascending 

 salmon ; but should this be accepted as evidence that 

 these fish are barren } I think not ; and, allowing 

 for those which have lost their way and gone 

 up a strange river, I cannot believe that salmon 

 are in the habit of dropping back to salt water 

 before spawning. To prove they do so, it would 



