110 THE SALMON QUESTION". 



to the Edinburgh College of Surgeons between the 

 spring of 1841 and the autumn of 1845, and did their 

 work well. 



In the summer and autumn of 1842, and onwards 

 to the spring of 1843, Goodsir had much commu- 

 nication with Mr. A. Young, the Duke of Sutherland's 

 salmon-fisher at Invershin, near Bonar Bridge, relative 

 to the development and characters of the salmon in its 

 progressive stages of growth till it became a mature fish. 

 Mr. Young sent numerous specimens for Goodsir's 

 inspection and preservation. A grilse was caught on 

 the 21st of June going down to the sea that weighed 

 9 lbs., into the fins of which a copper wire was twisted ; 

 when the same fish was caught on the 5 th of April of 

 the following year it weighed 14 lbs. Another that 

 was marked on the 9th January 1842, about 4 lbs. 

 in weight, was caught on the 14 th July, and weighed 

 9 lbs. Several smolts that had been marked by cutting 

 off the dead-fin of the back were sent in their grilse state. 

 The first of these smolts grown into grilse came early in 

 the season and was only small in size; a second was 5 lbs. ; 

 a third was 7 lbs. The numbers forwarded to Edin- 

 burgh Mr. Young hoped would satisfy Goodsir as to the 

 growth of the salmon from the smolt to the grilse and 

 full fish. In February 1843 quantities of spawn were 

 also sent to Goodsir for examination and experiment. 

 Dr. Knox and others had sought information of Mr. 

 Young, but without success, as he wished his views to 

 remain a secret till he could furnish more abundant 

 proofs ; moreover, he was partial to Goodsir following 



