Manchester Mejiioirs, Vol. Ivii. (1913), A't?. 3- 15 



many broods of eggs is now shown to be quite erroneous. 

 It is therefore all the more important that fish, when they 

 do come to spawn, should be protected in every way, and 

 that the young fry, when hatched, should be provided 

 with the best possible environment. 



The proportion of fish showing a spawning mark was 

 practically the same for the two }-ears 1910 and 191 1. 

 The total number of fish examined was 1678, and of 

 these only 78 showed a previous spawning mark. If we 

 exclude from this total number of fish examined all grilse 

 and small spring fish we find that of the remainder — that 

 is the large fish found in the river — only 6*4% have previ- 

 ously spawned. 



Out of the J?) fish onl\- five have two spawning marks ; 

 that is to say, only five salmon have been able to spawn 

 twice and live to enter the river for the third time. The 

 results obtained from these fish will be considered later, 

 as they are more readily understood after the records of 

 the scales with one spawning mark have been discussed. 



The scales offer peculiar advantages to the student ; 

 they show the life-history of each particular fish, and in 

 the case of scales bearing a spawning mark they tell the 

 story of a comparatively long and eventful life, the 

 wanderings of great travellers. They are, as it were, the 

 diaries in which we read of the incidents of the journey, 

 the approximate time of arrival and departure at the 

 various stages, and from which we can judge to a certain 

 extent the effect of the journey upon the fish. 



It should be specially noted that the scales of fish 

 which have previously spawned are extremely difficult to 

 read. During the long fast the periphery of the scales 

 becomes disintegrated and an appearance of fraying is 

 produced. When the disintegration has been extensive it 

 is often very puzzling to determine whether the fish entered 

 the river as a spring or later autumn fish. However, after 



