240 



THE ANGLER-I^-ATUEALIST. 



Walsh, Mr. Buckland, Mr. William Brown, Mr. Ffennell 

 (Commissioner for the Irish fisheries), Mr. Francis Francis, 

 Colonel White, and many others, whose names will always 

 be associated with the successful introduction of fish-cul- 

 ture into this country. 



Prom the writings and experiments of these gentlemen, 

 as well as from those reported from time to time in the 

 'Field' newspaper and other public journals, I have not 

 hesitated to make use of such facts and illustrations as 

 appeared necessary to place the subject clearly, and I trust 

 comprehensiTely, before the reader. This object wiU per- 

 haps be best effected by prefixing to any general observa- 

 tions a summary of the most important of what may be 

 designated ' proved facts ' in the natural history of the 

 Salmon, — that is, facts no longer open to discussion, but 

 admitted to have been actually demonstrated. They may 

 be enumerated as follows : — 



Proved Facts in the History of the Salmon. 



1. Salmon and Grilse invariably spawn in fresh water if 

 possible, — both the eggs, and the young fry whilst in the 

 Parr state, being destroyed by contact with salt water. 



2. The eggs are usually deposited on gravelly shallows, 

 where they hatch in from 80 to 140 days, according to the 

 temperature of the water. Eggs remaining unhatched 

 beyond the latter period will seldom hatch at all, possibly 

 from having been destroyed by the low temperature. 



