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THE SEVERN SALMON— WHENCE IT COMES AND 



WHEEE IT GOES.* 



By Ekancis Day, F.L.S., F.Z.S. 



There was a time when the " King of Fresh-water Fishes " 

 so abounded in England that the friends of every intending 

 apprentice were careful to cause a stipulation to be inserted into 

 each bond of apprenticeship that the lad should not be compelled 

 to dine off Salmon more than two or three days in a week. The 

 rivers wherein these fish were born, reared, and nourished still 

 remain, but scarcity of the article (as demonstrated by its market 

 value) shows that at the present time there is a woeful falling off 

 in the supply. How many among us, may I ask, have witnessed 

 the capture of a Salmon in the Severn off the ancient city of 

 Gloucester ? Is it not a fact that the fishery there gives but little 

 comparative employment to the fishermen, sport to the angler, or 

 food to the town ? It may well be said of the Salmon— 



" They come like shadows, so depart." 



We all know the appearance of a good healthy fish when we 

 see it exposed for sale, and are cognisant of its taste when served 

 at table ; but how few of us are aware of the many and strange 

 adventures it has passed through before it has reached a sufficient 

 size to reward the net-fisherman's toils, or attained to the dignity 

 of appearing at an aldermanic feast ! I propose to consider its 

 life-history — that is, its eggs in the nest, the parr or young in our 

 rivers, the smolt as it assumes its silvery migratory dress, the 

 grilse which returns from the sea to our fresh waters (mostly 

 during the summer months), and the adult Salmon that, residing 

 in the sea, ascends our streams at certain periods in order to 

 deposit its eggs and maintain, so far as it is able, the continuation 

 of its race. 



The eggs of the Salmon are small, round, elastic bodies, of a 

 clear white, pink, or even coral colour. Owing to their tough 

 outer coat, they are very elastic, as may be seen by throwing one 

 on the ground, from which it will rebound like an india-rubber 

 ball. This strength and elasticity must be an important property, 



* Abstract of a paper read at the Gloucester School of Art. 



