132 THE HABITS OF THE SALMON. 



yet. been able to give a satisfactory answer. I do 

 not pretend to be able to do so myself, but I will 

 give my opinion for what it is worth. A well- 

 mended kelt is, as a Scotchman would say, "just a 

 well-mended kelt," or, in other words, a spent sal- 

 mon which has grown fat in fresh water on smolts 

 on their way to the sea. These fish attain such a 

 good condition, that even experienced salmon-fishers 

 are sometimes puzzled at first sight to distinguish 

 them from clean fish. An ordinary spent fish can 

 be identified at once, be it never so bright-looking 

 and silvery. A big head, out of all proportion to its 

 body, a tucked-up belly and a large and protruding 

 vent are outward and visible signs which cannot be 

 mistaken, maggots also will invariably be found in 

 its gills ; but as insects, apparently similar to them, 

 which have been proved to be marine parasites, are 

 occasionally seen adhering to the gills of bona 

 fide clean salmon, and sea-lice adhering to their 

 bodies at the same time, I should not attach much 

 importance to this as a test. It is, however, as I 



