OF THE 8ALM0NIDJE. 33 



watched with pride by Yisitors to the ponds, 

 and talked about in society as the lions of 

 the season. Individually they exhibited 

 considerable difference in size and develop- 

 ment, but in October, 1866, they had nearly 

 all put on their smolt dress, and showed 

 much uneasiness in their fresh- water prison. 

 Accordingly, the grating was raised, the 

 last act in the drarda played, and two thou- 

 sand splendid young salmon were despatched 

 on their perilous journey to the sea. 



It would be unjust to omit mention of 

 the contributors to the precious cargo of 

 the Norfolh. Mr. Youl had asked for the 

 co-operation of owners of salmon rivers in 

 supplying ova, and the proprietors of 

 fisheries on the Tyne, Tweed, Severn, 

 Eibble, Ettrick, &c., responded heartily. 

 In the early part of the year a strong frost 

 had prevented the salmon from gaining their 

 spawning grounds, so that up to January 

 18th no ova had been sent to London ; but 

 on that day a sufficient supply arrived from 

 different parts of the country, and in three 

 days the packing was done and the ship 



