74 Ai^gl^J^g Travels in Norway. 



Herr Landmark says that the river Aaensira furnishes 

 somewhat of an exception to the rule that fish in a 

 large majority of instances return to their native rivers, 

 and he explains that the temperature of this river in 

 spring and early summer is exceptionally low ; but this 

 river affords no great exception to the rule, for of fifteen 

 fish marked and subsequently recovered, twelve were 

 recaptured in or close to the river itself, and of the other 

 three, one was recaptured 200 miles, another 230 miles, 

 and the third 500 miles, all north of the Aaensira. 



There would appear to be no particular reason why 

 a fish should seek "fresh fields and pastures new," if 

 he can satisfy his requirements close at hand under 

 conditions favourable to his existence and to his advance 

 towards maturity. Herr Landmark says that of the 

 fish marked, 36 per cent, were males, whereas of those 

 recaptured the males represented the proportion of 11 

 per cent., and he suggests that this decrease in the 

 percentage of males may be accounted for by the great 

 mortality which occurs among cock fish after spawning. 

 Perhaps the more wary and cunning nature of the 

 male fish renders him less liable to be captured a second 

 time either by rod or net, and any one who knows much 

 about nets and the netting of fish can testify that fish 

 recognize them at a glance, and take advantage of the 

 slightest loophole to effect their escape. 



