186 THE SALMON AND ITS MIGRATIONS 



theory. It was during my first year's guardian- 

 ship of the Godbout Eiver. Two English officers, 

 Major Howard and Colonel Charteris, had been 

 invited by Dr. W. Agar Adamson to join the 

 angling party of the Godbout that season. I 

 think it was in the year 1860. Presumably this 

 "food question" had been brought up, because on 

 that day orders were given not to cut up or split 

 the salmon before all the party were present. 

 While this was being done, later on, I stood by, 

 like the others, watching the opening of each 

 fish and its stomach. I imagined that something 

 had been lost and with a boy's curiosity, asked 

 what they were looking for. Colonel Charteris, 

 in answer to my question, kindly explained that 

 nothing was ever found in the way of food in a 

 salmon's stomach, and that it was to prove this 

 that the fish were being examined, "and as you 

 may see," he added, "this is correct, not a speck 

 of food has been found in any of these." There 

 were six or seven salmon. "Why !" I answered; 

 "This may be all right as far as these fish are 

 concerned, but I can show you hundreds with 

 their stomachs full to bursting with caplin." 

 "You can?" he said. "Certainly, sir." "Well, 

 now, my good boy, look here, I don't want a 

 hundred, but try and bring me one and I shall be 

 satisfied." I promised, and the next day got a 

 fish from the nets and brought it up to him. It 

 was opened in presence of the whole party, Dr. 



