4 80 emeries a?ul Ans'isoers. 



certainly too extensive destruction* of it in its different states. The queries 

 relate only to its natural history, and answers are earnestly requested, 

 stating facts relative to the opinions given, with the suggestion of additional 

 queries, or any thing that will tend to illustrate the history of the species. 

 Address the answers to Sir W. Jardine, Jardine Hall, by Lockerbie, Dum- 

 friesshire. 



Salmon. — 1. At what age do salmon commence spawning? and how 

 often is it supposed that they have migrated to and from the sea, previously 

 to their first parting with their spawn ? — 2. Do the males and females attain 

 maturity at the Same period or age ? and do all of one age spawn nearly at 

 the same season ? — 3. At what time do the young, or fry, first leave 

 the rivers ? — 4. When do the young, or fry, first return to the rivers? — 

 5. What are the size, weight, and appearance of the fry, on their first return 

 from the sea, and under what denomination do they then go ? — 6. Are 

 they so far arrived at maturity as to spawn, and be productive, on their first 

 return from the sea, or previously to a second migration? — 7. Are any 

 fish known to shed their spawn abortively, before they arrive at their full 

 growth or maturity ? or is the spawn observable in young fish retained 

 until the parents attain the ordinary growth and size of the species when it 

 is known to be productive ? 



Grilse. — 8. Are grilses immature salmon, and if they are, what is their 

 age ? — 9. What is the distinctive character between a large grilse and a 

 small salmon? — 10. At what season do grilses first appear in the rivers? 

 What is their weight ? and are they supposed to be the fry of the same 

 year, on their first return from the sea? — 11. Have the fry been marked, 

 and afterwards taken as grilses in the course of the same year, and have 

 grilses been marked, and afterwards taken as full-grown salmon ? — 12. Is 

 it supposed that any sexual intercourse takes place between the salmon and 

 other species of the genus, thereby producing a mongrel or mixed breed of 

 fish? 



Whitling and Sea-trout. — 13. Does the whitling of the Tweed ever become 

 a salmon ? if not, to what size and weight does it attain ? — 14. Is the whit- 

 ling of the Tweed known by any other name in its various stages of growth ? 

 Does it spawn, and at what season ? What are its migrations? — 15. Is 

 the sea-trout of some other rivers the same with the whitling of the Tweed ? 

 Is it found in all rivers containing salmon ? Does it spawn ? Is the young, 

 or fry known, and what are its migrations ? 



Herling. — 16. Is the herling or hirling of the Annan and Nith, and the 

 whiting of the Esk in Cumberland, the same with the finnock of the west 

 coast of Scotland, and the sewin of the Welsh rivers ? — 17. Is the herling 

 found in the rivers on the eastern coast of Scotland, or in any of the rivers 

 in England or Ireland, and under what name or names is it there known ? 

 — 18. Does the. herling spawn, and at what season ? and is it known in 

 any intermediate state between the fry and herling ? Is the fry known, and 

 what are its migrations ? 



Bull-trout. — 19. Is the bull-trout of the Tweed the same with the salmon 

 trout of the Tyne and Tees, &c. ? and is it known by any other name dur- 

 ing its growth from the fry to maturity ? 



20. Is the parr met with in all rivers containing salmon ? where and 

 when does it spawn ? Is it the same with the brandling of the north of 

 England, and the skirling of Wales ? Is it supposed to be a perfect fish, 

 or the fry of some species of salmon ? 



21. What is the grey (*?almo E'riox) of Dr. Fleming? What are its 

 states from the young to the adult ? What are its migrations ? 



22. Are there any species of migratory salmon, distinct from those above 

 mentioned, known in the rivers of your neighbourhood ? 



Diigong. — Of all the finny tribe, tiie dugong (?) is that which approaches 

 nearest to the human fornh It is able to raise itself erect in the water; 



