52 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. CH. IV. 



Strange as it seems, it would certainly appear 

 from his observations that a salmon may be kept 

 for any length of time in a river without growing 

 beyond the weight of two to four ounces, and he 

 showed me specimens of salmon which, though of 

 perfect form and condition, did not exceed that size ; 

 whereas had they been allowed to reach the sea, 

 they would at the same age have weighed from 

 six to ten pounds each. The growth of salmon 

 when in the sea is wonderful, it having been indis- 

 putably proved that a salmon has grown eleven 

 pounds six ounces during the short period of five 

 weeks and two days : the fish having been marked 

 on its passage to the sea, was caught again in the 

 same river when ascending, after an interval of 

 that duration. 



The destruction of salmon during their passage 

 to, and residence in, the sea must be wonderful, and 

 defies all calculation. Did all the fish, which de- 

 scend as fry, return as salmon, the rivers would not 

 hold them. Their enemies are countless ; every 

 fish and every sea-fowl preys and fattens on them. 

 At the mouths of rivers, and indeed at every shal- 

 low on their passage, thousands of gulls and other 

 birds prey upon the fry, while trout and eels are 

 feeding on them under water. As soon as they reach 

 the sea too, fish of all kinds are ready to devour them. 



