1 8 THE SPORTING FISH 



be recognized by their dark unhealthy colour, 

 lanky, flaccid appearance, and by the enlargement 

 of the vent. Their gills also are almost invariably 

 found to be infested by a species of white worm 

 (the Lerncea Salmonis of Linnaeus), which adheres 

 firmly to the inside of the gill covers, and from 

 which they are released by contact with the salt 

 water, a similar release from other parasites 

 being obtained on passing to the fresh water 

 from the sea. 



Within a period of five or six months after their 

 return to the salt water, it has been proved that 

 at least a proportion of Kelts find their way back 

 to the upper reaches of the river as clean fish, 

 having gained in weight during that time from 7 

 to lolbs. 



That spawned fish improve greatly in condition 

 before they leave the fresh water there is no room 

 to doubt, although they are never really fit for the 

 table until their return from their sea-trip. A fish 

 of this kind is known as a " well-mended Kelt," 

 a term which is common amongst fishermen. 



HATCHING OF THE EGGS AND GROWTH OF THE 

 YOUNG FRY. 



Leaving now the exhausted and more .or less ill- 

 conditioned Kelts to recruit themselves in their 

 salt-water bath, we return to the spawning-bed 



