RECENT RESEARCH UPON SALMON 239 
There was much rain all July, and a heavy run of grilse. I 
was absent that month in Norway, and on my return was 
informed that a number of dark fish had been taken in the 
stake-nets in the bay. The fishermen spoke of it as a regular 
occurrence at that season. They considered these fish as 
having returned to the sea from the upper waters, and they 
received a lower price for them than for fresh-run salmon. 
I took immediate steps to secure some of these discoloured 
fish for examination. Unluckily, I was too late, and only 
succeeded in obtaining one—a male—which was sent to the 
Edinburgh Research Laboratory on August 25th, where 
analysis showed that the skin had begun to turn red and the 
muscle was pale ; there were parasites in the gills and no sea- 
lice on the body—indications that the fish had passed some 
time in the river. 
The following year (1901) was an abnormally dry summer, 
and there was no flood from the first week in June until the 
very end of August ; nevertheless, early in August, I obtained 
two or three of these fish, and forwarded them to the 
laboratory. I have not yet received a report upon their 
analysis. 
Assuming, as I have no hesitation in doing after hearing the 
evidence of the net-fishers, that the appearance of these fish in 
salt water is a regular phenomenon after July floods, it is perfectly 
clear that their descent from fresh water must be a voluntary 
migration. A similar seaward movement has been noted as 
regularly taking place in the Helmsdale ; but that is a rapid 
Highland river, entering the sea with scarcely any tidal estuary, 
and the theory might be advanced that salmon, weakened by a 
long fast, might be washed down out of the upper reaches by 
heavy summer floods. But in the Cree no such explanation 
will hold good. In the first place, although the upper reaches 
of that river are rapid and Highland in character, between 
them and the sea intervenes the Loch of Cree, fully three miles 
in length, and above the nets where these discoloured fish were 
