Distribution of the Salmon Fry. 233 



liberated in the Buchan, a beautiful stream of 

 good clear water, with beds of clean gravel 

 and small fish in shoals. Our horses were 

 led, and slid down the sandy bank into the 

 stream on their haunches. Only a high hill 

 now separated us from the valley of the 

 Snowy river. 



" On ascending the slope, our guide had the 

 can with the fish (about 400) before him on 

 the saddle, and I rode close behind. Sud- 

 denly the sandy bank gave way, just as he 

 had surmounted the last ascent, and horse, 

 rider, and fish-can were rolling in the sand. 

 I dismounted in a moment, and ran to save 

 the fish, expecting to see them scattered about 

 on the sand; but although the water had 

 partially escaped, none of the fish were lost, 

 as the perforated top of the can was fastened 

 with a hasp. Thus, within the last mile, the 

 object of our journey was nearly being frus- 

 trated. I carried the fish the remainder of 

 the way. 



" On arriving at the top of the ridge the 

 Snowy river lay at our feet, but it looked 

 muddy and turbid, as if in flood from recent 

 rains in the hills. It has every indication of 



