DECAY OF SALMON. 107 



tables as to the columns for " Trouts " (Salmo eriox), 

 because the vast difference in that respect between 

 the two rivers is a difference established by nature. 

 But there is great significance in the other columns. 

 While in the Tweed the proportion netted of the grilse 

 or adolescent salmon to the adult salmon is four or five 

 to one, on the Spey it is little more than double. The 

 explanation of which is, that, in the years named, the 

 Spey, besides having been relieved from fixed nets, was 

 fished only to the middle of August ; while the Tweed, 

 besides having fixed nets at its mouth, was fished to the 

 middle of October. In passing, let us add, though the 

 fact scarcely belongs to the question more immediately 

 in hand, that the Tweed fisheries, as compared with the 

 Duke of Richmond's, while taking nearly double the fish 

 of all kinds, yield less than half the rent or profit. 



An apparent, and to some extent real exception to 

 the rule of general decline, previous to the recent legis- 

 lation, was exhibited by the river and firth of Tay taken 

 together. The difference between the Tay and other 

 fishing districts in Scotland, consisted chiefly in this, 

 that nine or ten years ago the rental of the Tay was 

 not greatly less than it had been twenty or thirty years 

 before, though within that period it had once or twice 

 suffered great decline. But besides that rental is an 

 imperfect test, there were several special favouring or 

 saving circumstances in the case of the Tay, of which 

 it might perhaps be sufficient to mention merely one, 

 the Tay proprietors for a considerable period anticipated 

 by voluntary agreement the improved legislation to 

 which they ultimately became subject. Again, during 



