PREFACE. ix 
Dr. Francis Day for his kindly help on various occasions 
when it was my privilege to meet him. But for the 
kindly advice and encouragement of the former the Sol- 
way Fishery would never have been commenced. 
To my friend George H. Brocklehurst, B.Sc., I 
am indebted for a considerable amount of assistance in 
microscopic research and the study of embryology, etc. 
In studying the mysteries of our ponds and ditches, and 
working out the life histories of many of the creatures 
contained therein, I have been largely assisted by my 
friend Leonard West, Esq., of Darlington, who has kindly 
supplied the drawings in illustration of the chapter on 
pond life, as well as a considerable portion of the letter- 
press. To Mr. Thomas Bolton, of Birmingham, I am 
also indebted for information respecting the microscopic 
inhabitants of our waters, and also for drawings illus- 
trative of the embryonic life of a salmonoid. 
For views of the Solway Fishery I am indebted to 
Mr. Willie Anderson, of Partick, Glasgow, and to J. 
Rutherford, Esq., of Jardington, Dumfries; and I am 
glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging the kind- 
ness and hospitality of many who will read these pages, 
who have, from time to time, permitted free access to 
their waters for the purposes of scientific research, etc. 
Without the help of some of these this book would in all 
