52 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. CH. IV. 



Strange as it seems, it would certainly appear 

 from his observations that a salmon may be kept 

 for any length of time in a river without growing 

 beyond the weight of two to four ounces, and he 

 showed me specimens of salmon which, though of 

 perfect form and condition, did not exceed that 

 size ; whereas, had they been allowed to reach the 

 sea, they would at the same age have weighed 

 from six to ten pounds each. The growth of 

 salmon when in the sea is wonderful, it having 

 been indisputably proved that a salmon has grown 

 eleven pounds six ounces during the short period 

 of five weeks and two days : the fish having been 

 marked on its passage to the sea, was caught again 

 in the same river when ascending, after an interval 

 of that duration. 



The destruction of salmon during their passage 

 to and residence in the sea must be wonderful, and 

 defies all calculation. Did all the fish which de- 

 scend as fry return as salmon the rivers would not 

 hold them. Their enemies are countless; every fish 

 and every sea-fowl preys and fattens on them. At 

 the mouths of rivers, and indeed at every shallow 

 on their passage, thousands of gulls and other birds 

 prey upon the fry, while trout and eels are feeding 

 on them under water. As soon as they reach the 

 sea, too, fish of all kinds are ready to devour them. 



