244 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



tinguished from the sea or bull trout, which is here termed 

 a truff. 



" It would be interesting if some of your correspondents 

 would state their experience as to the progressive growth 

 of these fish from smolts to salmon. 



" ANTHONY PIKE, Sec., 

 " Dart Board of Conservators." 



From experiments lately made by Mr. Walter C. Archer 

 in the Sands, river, Norway (see the Field, January 5, 

 1889) it is found that the increase of weight in a salmon 

 recaught after an interval of from seven to ten months 

 is much greater than when the interval has been twelve 

 months. 



A salmon, marked in October 1885 weighing 1 8 Ibs., 

 was recaught July 1887 weighing 30^ Ibs. 



Mr. Archer thinks it possible for a salmon to grow to 

 30 Ibs. weight from the grilse state in four and a half 

 years. 



The grilse then having gone down to the salt water in 

 the spring as a kelt, whenever he does return to his native 

 river it is as a salmon ; the size and weight depending on 

 the food and other causes, of which, at the present time, we 

 have but slight knowledge. As the lordly salmon, the king 

 of fresh- water fish, we now meet him. 



There is no British fish whose life-history has caused so 

 much discussion, so much difference of opinion, so many 

 controversies, or is so much prized both for its sporting 

 attributes and its edible qualities as the salmon. 



That part of its life which is passed in the salt water is 

 still involved in doubt. It appears for the time being to 

 vanish, as it were ; and whether it goes far out to sea or 

 remains in the estuaries, or whether it goes north or south, 

 we know not. When it returns to what may be considered 

 its native element the fresh water we are able to trace 

 its progress to the upper waters, and to note its history 

 during its sojourn, until it again goes to the sea to recruit 

 the powers it has lost during the process of reproducing its 

 species. 



