260 ROD AND RIVER 



and I believe it is the case, that salmon, during 

 the period which they pass in the river before 

 spawning, do not feed at all. I lay stress on the 

 word before, because it is my impression that a 

 kelt will devour almost anything. It is certain 

 that the fish daily deteriorate in condition 

 while in the river, thereby affording proof that, 

 even if they do feed, the food they are able to 

 obtain under such circumstances is not suitable 

 to their well-being. But it is a well-ascertained 

 fact that the stomachs of salmon, when caught, 

 are invariably found to be devoid of anything in 

 the way of food. Now and again an exception 

 is found to the rule, but such is very rare ; and if 

 these fish do feed in fresh water, it is my 

 opinion, and that of many others also, that the 

 only sustenance which they receive is from the 

 animalculae, and such-like, contained in the water 

 itself. 



'Some years ago the Tweed Fishery Com- 

 missioners appointed a small committee of their 

 number to make inquiries regarding the natural 

 history of the Salmonidse frequenting their river. 

 With the view of obtaining information regarding 

 these questions, the committee first employed 

 themselves in putting marks on the fish, which 

 appeared to differ from one another, so as to have 

 the means of discovering the changes of form and 

 size which these marked fish underwent in each 



