STORMONTFIELD EXPEKIMENT. 109 



them to leave the sea, even there the development 

 of the spawn takes place the same as in the fresh 

 water, and they assume the red colour which they 

 have while on the redds. At that time, they are 

 not fit for food, but, notwithstanding, are eaten as 

 kipper. On referring to Mr Johnstone of Mon- 

 trose's examination,* it will be seen that it was 

 this full development and growth of the milt and 

 roe that led him into the absurdity of believing 

 that salmon spawned in the sea. The clean fish 

 that ascend the Tay in the months of November, 

 December, and January, and are caught in Loch 

 Tay and other feeders, in spring, at the commence- 

 ment of the season, are good and excellent for the 

 table, albeit a little brown in the colour, which 

 may injure them as a marketable fish; but the 

 spawn in these fish, although developed, has not 

 become as yet of any size, and of course the fish 

 has not fallen off much in condition. 



KELTS, OE SPAWNED FISH. 



It is well known to anglers and fishermen that 

 kelts do not immediately after spawning return 

 to the sea. The fish become very weak after 

 the operation; and they afterwards drop down 



* See Appendix. 



