135 



X. 



On the Introduction of Salmon from the Puvers of Scot- 

 land into Tasmania. By the late Capt. 0. E. Stanley, 

 K.E. \_Bead l'2th September, 1849, Uj Mr. Hull.] 



Mr. James Burnett, when recently on leave of absence in 

 England, visited Mr. Young, the manager of the Duke of 

 Sutherland's Salmon Fisheries in Sutherlandshire, for the 

 purpose of consulting him on the x^racticability of intro- 

 ducing Salmon and Trout into Van Diemen's Land. 



Mr. Young ig a practical man, well acquainted with the 

 habits of this valuable fish, and has made numberless experi- 

 ments with a view to ascertain their mode of breeding, and 

 the kind of waters in which they thrive best. Mr. Burnett 

 gave him every particular respecting the length of a voyage 

 to this Colony, and the changes of temperature to be under- 

 gone ; and described to him the Tasmanian Elvers, more 

 especially the Derwent, above New Norfolk. 



Mr. Young was of opinion, that by taking the young fish 

 (termed Smolt), when they are ready to proceed to the sea, 

 and placing them in a large tank, there would be every 

 chance, with ordinary care, of bringing them out here alive, 

 were the voyage protracted even beyond the usual period of 

 four months ; and, once here, and placed in a river like the 

 Derwent, where they would have access to the sea, he would 

 have no doubt of success. He informed Mr. Burnett that 

 he would be ready, at the proper season, to supply the young 

 fish, to superintend their transport to London, and the con- 

 struction of suitable boxes or tanks in which to convey 

 them hither ; and that ho would, in every way in his power, 



