PREFACE. VU 



to there being too many trout present to prey upon it. Mere 

 numbers in a fishery do not invariably give a true indication of 

 its condition. 



In the following pages I have collected, and, so far as space 

 would admit, have inserted the opinions whicli have been held from 

 time to time in this kingdom upon the Salmonidae, and in order not 

 to confuse them with the text, have placed them in the form of 

 notes. Many of the experiments or investigations, with the evidence 

 on which my conclusions were made, will be found fully detailed in 

 the columns of The Field, or in The Proceedings of the Zoological 

 Society of London, to which the reader must be referred. 



The cause mentioned below,* and which has not (so far as I am 

 aware) yet been removed, must be my apology for the illustrations 

 having been drawn by myself. The fish were coloured fi-om nature 

 by Miss Florence Woolward, whose accuracy in delineation needs 

 no remark as it speaks for itself. Also I have to thank Messrs. 

 Hanhart as the chromolithographers, and Messrs. Norman & Son 

 as the printers of this publication. 



I must offer my best thanks to Sir James Maitland without 

 whose assistance this work would never have seen the light; he has 

 afforded me every information during the course of my inquiries, 

 and furnished me with specimens for examination and delineation. 



* From the Secretary to the Trustees of the British Museum: — "Dear Sir, 

 Having referred your letter of the 13th to Dr. Giinther, I learn from him that as 

 both you and he are engaged in preparing a publication on British Pishes, he 

 thinks it inconvenient and against the interests of cither work that the same artist 

 should be employed on both. He has thei-efore intimated to Mr. Mintern, that if 

 he is working cuts for you, he will engage another artist for himself. This is a 

 matter which cannot be considered to concern the Trustees. — Tours, &c., E. Bond. 

 August 20th, 1880." Seven years have now elapsed since Dr. Giinther, Keeper of 

 the Zoological Collection of the British Museum, induced Mr. Mintern to break his 

 agreement and cease engraving for me on the above plea. Dr. Giinther's work, 

 stated then to be in the course of preparation, has not yet been advertised ! 



