278 Report of the Ttueed Commissioners. 



measured, and returned to the pond in a plump, healthy condi- 

 tion, most of them being Whitlings, and others having assumed 

 the distinct character of Bull Trouts. The average increase in 

 length between 4th July and 13th December was £ of an inch. 



On the 17th May, 1877, a second examination took place. 

 Seventy-eight fish were caught, in good condition ; but between 

 13th December, 1876, and 17th May, 1877, the average increase 

 in length was only r - of an inch. 



It will be remembered that in the 2 years and 58 days precedent 

 to the 4th July, 1876, the average increase in length was about 

 5 inches. 



The fact that Orange Fins are the younger stage of the Whit- 

 ling and Bull Trout, was, by means of witnesses who had been 

 present at all the proceedings affecting the enquiry, satisfactorily 

 proved before the Sheriff of Peeblesshire, who originated the 

 doubts on the subject, and it is to be hoped that the question of 

 identity and the character of Orange Fins, as members of the 

 Salmon tribe, will not again be disputed. 



A return of fish, which had previously been marked and after- 

 wards re-captured, is appended, being a continuation of similar 

 returns presented along with the Committee's former reports. 



Amongst others, a Salmon, I8lb. in weight, was, in September 

 last, taken from one of the Fisheries of the Berwick Salmon 

 Fisheries Company; it had a growth or protuberance on the 

 upper part of the tail, which, on being cut open, disclosed a silver 

 wire exactly where Smolts had been marked by the Committee, 

 and corresponding with the wire used for the purpose in May, 

 1873, and April, 1874. Unfortunately, the person who extracted 

 the wire broke off the part which contained the number of identi- 

 fication, and lost it ; it is therefore impossible to affix the date 

 when the fish was marked as a Smolt. 



A third instance has occurred of a Black-Tail marked in the 

 Tweed, being captured in the character of a Bull Trout in the 

 Forth. A wire numbered 1247 was inserted in the tail on October 

 18, 1876, at Cove Sands, the fish (Black-Tail) then measuring 13 

 inches in length, and weighing 13^ ounces. When caught be- 

 tween Alloa and Stirling on 2d August, 1877, 289 days after- 

 wards, it measured 16 inches, and weighed 28^ ounces, more 

 than double the weight it was in October, 1876. 



E. H. HUNTLEY, Chairman. 



Berwich-on-Tweed, 20th August, 1877. 



