LARGE SALMON FROM THE TAY AND AVON. 295 



In August, 1879, Mr. Towell of the Strand sent for 

 me to examine a very large salmon from the Tay ; it 

 weighed 65lbs., and measured from the tip of the nose 

 to the end of the tail along the curve of the body, 4ft. 

 5|in. ; the girth, 2ft. Ifin. Daring the last few weeks 

 of the net fishery season of 1879, there were an un- 

 usually large number of big salmon on the market : 

 namely, one of 61-|lbs., from Mr. Dennis of Messrs. 

 Groves, Bond Street, and also fom- others weighing 

 respectively 53Ibs., 511bs., 49ibs., and 461bs. ; this 

 makes a total of 325^ lbs. for six salmon, viz. : no less 

 than the weight of four sheep and a half (average sized 

 sheep) as dressed for the butcher's shop. 



Other casts of large salmon (Poissons celehres) are 

 in my Museum of Economic Fish Culture, South 

 Kensington. 



A LARGE AVON (hANTs) SALMON. 



On Friday, April 2, 1880, a magnificent salmon was 

 caught in the run of the river Avon (Hants) at Christ - 

 church. It weighed 531bs., and measm-ed 4ft. 4^in. in 

 length, by 2^ft. in girth, and was in most perfect condi- 

 tion. Mr. Tucker of Christchurch tells me tbat there is 

 no record of any Christchurch salmon hitherto having 

 been taken over 47lbs. ; this fish I cast for Mr. Moss. 

 I have also in my museum a cast painted by Mr. Searle, 

 of a kelt salmon, 421bs., also caught in the neighbouring 

 river, Frome. 



'' BLUE GOWN." 



Instead of going to the Derby in 1868, I stayed at 

 home to cast this fish, for I hate racing and I love fish. 

 While casting this fish the news arrived that the winner 



