74 The Natural History of the Salmon. 



with the spring salmon, female in sex. I have 

 taken these fish, kipper grilses, in the months above 

 mentioned, of the average of six or seven pounds, 

 the milt in them not weighing so much as two 

 ounces. They evidently do not take the river for 

 spawning purposes. As diet they are certainly 

 inferior to what is called clean fish, being paler and 

 less curdy. What are they ? Are they not the 

 males of the clean salmon ? " 



MR. SMURTHWAITE is of opinion they enter the 

 river for change of water, and being safer, naturally 

 speaking, from their enemies, who prey upon them 

 in the sea, and also likely to enjoy more repose in 

 the river. The salmon is the earlier fish ; grilse 

 later. 



MR. WHEATHERSTONE says : " Salmon do not 

 come into the river for the sole purpose of spawning, 

 as we find them coming in in a perfectly clean state." 



MR. SMAIL : " They ascend, in my opinion, both 

 for spawning purposes and for enjoyment, which 

 they find in the change from salt water to fresh." 



MR. DUNDAS believes that the early spring and 

 summer fish would spawn in due time if spared, 

 but he believes they are all killed. 



MR. GEORGE SMITH takes another view : " The 

 spring and summer fish of all denominations seem 

 to enter the river under the supreme laws of nature 

 as food for man. Those that enter in October and 



