152 DO SALMON FEED IN FRESH WATER? 



functional derangement undergone by the salmon on 

 entering upon this period of abstinence. This derange- 

 ment seems to be caused by the diversion of the blood 

 stream from the digestive to the generative organs, 

 of which the first outward effect is manifest in that 

 well-known discoloration which begins to tarnish the 

 brilliant coat of a salmon as soon as he enters a river. 

 Hitherto this has been popularly attributed to the 

 oxydising properties of fresh water ; but that explan- 

 ation leaves out of account the remarkable restoration 

 of lustre which takes place in the scales of kelts soon 

 after spawning and before returning to the sea. This 

 is now shown to be the consequence of the reversion 

 of the circulation to its normal course, the consequent 

 restoration of the stomach, gall, and liver to functional 

 activity, renewing appetite for food, and causing the 

 salmon to hasten back to the sea, where alone its 

 hereditary intuition informs it that a good store of 

 provender can be obtained. 



' Yes,' argues the incredulous angler, ' but if kelts do 

 not feed regularly in fresh water, how can you account 

 for well-mended kelts fish which were miserably attenu- 

 ated immediately after spawning, and yet recover in 

 girth and shape before re-entering the sea ? ' 



To this puzzle, also, the Edinburgh committee have 

 supplied a solution. They do not deny that regenera- 

 tion may proceed so far, especially in kelts that are 

 hindered from getting back to the sea, that the fish may 

 take what food is offered to it, although it is contrary 

 to the known habits of the kelt salmon to rove in 



