420 PRESIDENTIAL ADDKESS. 



the times of the migration of young fish, and their size at such 

 times; the diseases and parasites of fish; the eaiiiest, latest, and 

 principal times of spawning of each description of fish; the food 

 of fish; the effect of different descriptions of food on their repro- 

 ductive and other organs ; the effect of pollutions, obstructions, 

 land drainage, abstraction of water, and other artificial condi- 

 tions on each description of fish; and, generally, any matters 

 calculated to throw light on obscure points in the habits of fish." 

 Where, for instance, could the specialist more usefully em- 

 ploy his talents than in the investigation of that terrible fungoid 

 disease which attacks Salmon, and which threatens the depopu- 

 lation of more than one of our rivers. Respecting the Tweed 

 my angling friend, Mr. George Crawhall, one of the truest 

 sportsmen and keenest observers that ever cast a fly, tells me 

 that clean Salmon running from the sea and the descending 

 Kelts are alike affected, and it even extends to the autumn fish. 

 The disease, Saprolegnia ferax, in the first instance, may be no- 

 ticed by the appearance of a white fungoid growth about the 

 nose and head of the victim. At this period the Salmon appear, 

 and there can be little doubt on the point, to suffer much 

 pain, frequently plunging aimlessly about and splashing along 

 the surface of the water, shaking the head, as if to get rid of 

 the tormentor. Gradually the white spots extend, and form 

 loathsome blotches over the body of the fish. Salmon then 

 leave the strong streams, fall into easier water, and, as the dis- 

 order increases in virulence, the fish are weakened, and in many 

 cases nearly entirely blind, seek the sides of the river, where 

 they may be seen lying in the shallow water, often with the 

 dorsal fin and upper part of the tail exposed. Here they remain 

 for days, growing weaker and weaker, until death ensues. Mr. 

 Crawhall has seen diseased fish yet living with their eyes picked 

 out by Carrion Crows. I have no desire to trench on the po- 

 litical aspect of the question, and shall leave to others the 

 consideration of the laws which forbid that the diseased fish 

 shall be taken from the river by anyone inclined to remove 

 them, which at any rate would benefit the river and lessen the 

 scope of the evil, 



