SALMON. 13 



in the pool below the Leader-water cauld, that prevented 

 the fish from clearing it ; because I know an instance 

 where Salmon have cleared a cauld of six feet belonging 

 to Lord Sudely, who lately caused it to be measured 

 for my satisfaction, though they were but few out of the 

 numerous fish that attempted it that were able to do so. 

 I conceive, however, that very large fish could leap much 

 higher. 



Although I think the powers of Salmon to leap 

 perpendicularly have been much overrated, yet I know 

 that they will ascend steep cataracts in a wonderful 

 manner. Mr. Smith of Deanston, in the Carse of Stirling, 

 has invented a sort of stair, by means of Avhich Salmon 

 are enabled to ascend streams in full waters in spite of 

 natural or artificial obstructions. One side of the river 

 under a weir or cauld is separated from the main stream, 

 and intersected by transverse pieces of wood or stone, 

 each of which reaches about two thirds of the width of 

 the gap. There are two ranges of these steps, one on 

 each side, and the steps on one side face the centre of 

 the interval between the steps on the other ; so that the 

 fish ascend from side to side in a zigzag direction, and 

 can rest in their ascent, should they find it necessary. 

 This is a very ingenious contrivance, and it has been 

 constructed on the Teith, near Doune, with complete 

 success. But I conclude it can only come into operation 

 in such floods as raise the water to a higher level than is 

 required for the mill-dam ; and therefore if rude steps 

 of rolling stones were constructed at a portion of the 

 back of the cauld, the end would be answered in a better 

 manner, since the ascent might be made more gradual. 



