810 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Answer. Tbey do not ; nor do they seem to show the slightest inter- 

 est in their offspring after the eggs have been deposited and the nest 

 covered up. 



Question. When are the eggs hatched, and in what period of time 

 after being laid ? 



Answer. Not known. 



Question. What percentage of eggs laid is usually hatched ? 



Answer. !N^o one knows. 



Question. What percentage of young attains to maturity? 



Answer. No one knows. 



Question. What is the rate of growth ? 



Answer. This is not known, bat it is supposed that the salmon attain 

 a full average growth in three years. 



Question. Do the parents, either or both, watch over the young after 

 they are hatched 1 



Answer. Never. 



Question. Do they carry them in the mouth, or otherwise ? 



Answer. No. 



Question. What enemies interfere with, or destroy, the spawn or the 

 young fish "? Do the parent fish devour them ? 



Answer. Almost every kind of creature that lives in or frequents the 

 water, including insects, fish, and fowl. The water ouzel in particular, 

 whose salmon-eggeating propensities created such an animated contro- 

 versy in Great Britain a few years ago, is very destructive to salmon- 

 eggs and the newly-hatched alewives. The parent fish, however, do not 

 eat their eggs. 



Question. Are the young of this fish found in abundance, and in what 

 localities *? 



Answer. They are found in great abundance in some localities at cer- 

 tain seasons, particularly at the headwaters of the rivers. 



Question. On what do they appear to feed ? 



Answer. On all kinds of small animal food found in the water ; per- 

 haps more especially caddis-worms and small fish. 



9. — Artificial culture. 



Question. Have any steps been taken to increase the abundance of 

 this fish by artificial breeding 1 



Answer. Nothing more than the selection of a favorable point for 

 artificial propagation, if it should ever become desirable. 



10. — Protection. 



Question. Are these fish protected by law, or otherwise? 

 Answer. There is a close time provided by the Oregon laws, protect- 

 ing the salmon from Saturday night to Monday morning. 



11. — Diseases. 



Question. Have any cpiderou; or ociier diseases ever been noticed 



