CHAPTER XIV 

 THE SCALES OF THE SALMONID^ 



The scales of the Salmonidae Scale growth The physiological changes 

 in the condition of salmon Discoloured fish Estuary of the 

 Severn The Wye Icelandic rivers The respective influences 

 of salt and fresh water on salmon The question The ova of 

 salmon Mr. Hutton and the Spawning mark The varying 

 number of rings on a scale The examination of a salmon's scale 

 The scales of salmon from the river Add The Add and the Wye 

 Mr. Gathorne-Hardy The river Awe Synopsis. 



IT should not be foreign to the scope of this work to 

 consider the interesting problems which are associated with 

 the markings on the scales of the salmonidae. This study, 

 though in its infancy, has already added much knowledge 

 concerning the life and habits of our salmon to the pages 

 of natural history. 



We are indebted to the pioneers of this new science 

 naturalists and writers such as Dr. Hoffbauer, Dr. Giinther, 

 Messrs. Johnston, Hutton, *Calderwood, Malloch, Dr. Master- 

 man, Dr. Dahl, Professor Hickson and others, and to the 

 interesting articles which have appeared in The Field, The 

 Fishing Gazette, The Salmon and Trout Magazine, The 

 Scottish Field, etc., for the data on which the greater 

 portion of this new science is based. 



It is owing to my analysis of such data, supplemented 

 by my own experience and from the information I have 

 obtained from those in control of the netting operations in 

 our big rivers, that I have ventured to differ from certain 

 conclusions which have been drawn from the markings 



* The careful research and instructive data given in Mr. J. A. Button's 

 article in the Salmon and Trout Magazine are particularly valuable. 



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