THE SALMON FAMILY. 271 



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 the Duke of 

 the circumstance, when his Grace was so obliging as to 

 send us the following account of the fish : 



"'Dunkeld, May 9, 1861. 



" ' The Duke of Atholl presents his compliments to Mr. Brown, and 

 is very much obliged for his civility in forwarding particulars of the 

 capture of a marked fish. The Duke thinks it may interest Mr. Brown 

 to learn that the Kipper No. 78 was caught on the 1st of April by 

 Mr. Evans, above Logierait. It then weighed 13| Ibs.' " 



This fish had consequently recovered lost weight in the 

 fresh water, since spawning, to the extent of 2J Ibs. in five 

 weeks. 



It is evident, therefore, that Salmon do, under certain 

 circumstances, improve rapidly in condition before return- 

 ing to the sea ; and hence the expression, ' ' A well-mended 

 Kelt," which is common amongst fishermen. Kelts in 

 this state are almost as bright and silvery-looking as the 

 really clean fish, and are not unfrequently sold as such in 

 towns; but the head is disproportionately large, owing 

 to the body not being properly filled up; and upon opening 

 the gill-covers, the white worm, before mentioned, will 

 almost invariably be found adhering to them. When 

 cooked, the fish emits a disagreeable odour, and as an 

 article of food is unwholesome. 



HATCHING OF THE EGGS AND GROWTH OF THE YOUNG FRY. 

 Leaving now the exhausted and more or less ill-con- 



