SALMON LEGISLA TION IN SCOTLAND. 557 



The average of the last period is thus less than the first. 

 Though they serve, to a certain extent, as an indication, 

 these statistics must not be too implicitly relied on, as they 

 may lead to fallacious results. It is impossible to ascertain 

 what quantities of fish were disposed of otherwise. 



It is probably unnecessary to direct the attention of those 

 interested in the Scotch salmon fishings to the reports of 

 the recently constituted Scotch Fisheries Improvement 

 Association, of which they have now published three, all 

 containing valuable information relating to the subject. 

 The first report (May, 1881) is more especially instructive 

 to those interested in reform, as containing many important 

 details collected from various reliable sources, showing the 

 condition of deterioration and disorganisation into which 

 salmon fishery matters have fallen in Scotland. It has 

 been ascertained (i), that there are seven counties in 

 Scotland with thirty-two rivers which have ceased to be 

 frequented by salmon, owing first to dams built across the 

 rivers, which prevent the fish getting up to spawn ; and 

 secondly, to manifold pollutions from town sewage, bleach- 

 fields, chemical works, and other manufactures. 



(2) That in eight counties with salmon rivers there are 

 no District Boards. 



(3) That in one of these counties (viz., Ross and Cromarty) 

 there are no less than thirty-two salmon rivers without 

 official protection. 



(4) That in Argyllshire, where there are also about 

 thirty salmon rivers, there is only one District Board, whose 

 place of meeting is in the Island of Mull. 



We commend these statistics to the anxious study of all 

 concerned. 



