164 Salmon at the Antipodes. 



long, were put in a pond in April, 1831, some 

 of which were caught in the summer of 1833, 

 2 to 3 lbs. in weight. The flesh was of the best 

 colour, but rather pale. 



From experiments made by Mr. Shaw, who 

 was head keeper to the Duke of Buccleuch at 

 Drumlanrig Castle, the rate of growth of the 

 salmon has been clearly ascertained by mark- 

 ing the smolts with silver wire, or by notches 

 on the adipose fin, to identify them on their 

 return from the sea, and many disputed ques- 

 tions about the salmon have thus been set at 

 rest. 



It was for a long period believed that the 

 parr was a distinct fish from the salmon, 

 although the absence of ova in any individual 

 instance was a strong argument against this 

 supposition. 



Salmon increase in size every succeeding 

 year, and it was no uncommon thing at one 

 time to get salmon of 30 lbs. weight, but few 

 of that size are now caught, as they are killed 

 long before they attain to this weight. They 

 have been caught 40 lbs., 50 lbs., 60 lbs. ; and 

 one of the enormous weight of 83 lbs. is 

 recorded. 



