SALMON FOUND DEAD. 39 



water. We have picked up sixteen dead 

 male salmon and but one female." This is a 

 curious fact, rendering it important that 

 those who have the opportunity should 

 examine the dead fish they see in the water, 

 with a view of gaining more knowledge as 

 regards the cause of death in both sexes. 



The reason why so many male fish are 

 found dead is, I believe, twofold : first, many 

 die from positive exhaustion ; secondly, from 

 wounds inflicted in actual combat. Mr. 

 Samuel Woodcock, of Bury, Lancashire, in- 

 clines to the latter opinion, for he writes : 

 " I can explain to Mr. Buckland the reason 

 why so many more male salmon are found 

 dead than females. The males fight des- 

 perately, and often kill each other. I have 

 seen them repeatedly lacerated with as many 



