SALMON. 



39 



recognised. Of these, ten were retaken in the course of 

 the months of June and July following, by which time 

 they had assumed the size and all the distinctive marks 

 of the genuine Salmon. The following table shows 

 when each was taken, and its weight at that time, and 

 its increased weight when recaptured. In addition to 

 the fact which it establishes of the identity of the Gilse 

 with the Salmon, it shows also how rapid the growth of 

 the Gilse is in liis process of becoming a Salmon : ■ — 



The above disparity of growth is easily accounted for, 

 since it is not probable that these fish, which were caught 

 and returned to the river in February, went down to the 

 sea before March, if, indeed, so early : of course they 

 would not increase in growth in fresh water, though 

 they would mend somewhat in weight after their weak 

 spawning state. Setting these, therefore, aside, it ap- 

 pears that the growth of the last four fish averaged two 

 pounds each per month when they were at sea ; and if 

 they remained in the river after the 4th of Marcli, as it 



D 4 



