STOKMONTFIELD EXPERIMENT. Ill 



the sea. In proof of this, we will instance a case 

 which occurred to ourselves last year: On the 

 4th of May, 1861, we hooked a fish on the 

 Stanley water, and, as the fishermen assured us 

 the kelts had all left the river, we were flattering 

 ourselves with the prospect of landing a fresh run 

 salmon. He fought well for liberty, and twice 

 did he make his appearance, and was pronounced 

 clean by the fisherman who had the gaff ex- 

 tended, when his eye caught the glittering cop- 

 per medal attached to the tail. We ordered 

 the gaff to be laid aside, but had to give the 

 fish another run before it could be lifted out 

 without injury. It turned out to be a male fish, 

 and had a copper medal fastened round his tail, 

 on which was stamped Athole, No. 78. He 

 weighed 16 Ibs.; and but from being a little 

 lank at the tail which might have been caused 

 by the copper wire, which had cut the fish 

 nearly into the bone, he might have passed 

 muster for a clean fish (there were no maggots 

 on his gills), as the fishermen thought he was, 

 until we showed them the vent, which was too 

 much enlarged for a fish that had not lately 

 spawned. After having carefully returned him 

 to the river, we noted the number, and apprised 



