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Appendices to Twenty-sixth Annual Report 



than females. This is a point that must be considered in the stocking 

 of a river, as both these classes make their way to the higher tributaries, 

 and it is essential for successful spawning that each sex be properly re- 

 presented on the redds. A large supply of females ascend before the net- 

 ting season opens in spring, but the grilse and younger summer fish have 

 to pass many nets, and only escape these dangers when the conditions for 

 running during the weekly close time are favourable. Every year in- 

 creasing pollutions tend to limit the times they care to take advantage of 

 the free passage. When from any cause a proportion of the summer fish 

 fail to reach the upper spawning beds, especially those beyond the trav- 

 elling powers of the late autumn salmon, there may be a short supply of 

 males with detrimental results. Another reason for sparing more of the 

 young summer salmon is, that after spawning and descending as kelts 

 they may return twelve or fifteen months later as spring fish. So far 

 I have not all the evidence I would like on this subject, but the scales 

 of several marked salmon recaptured in spring indicate that their first 

 visit to fresh water had been made in the summer, and this applies 

 both to specimens from the Tay and Helmsdale, These marked fish 

 came in along with other salmon on their first return, and deserve some 

 consideration, as, although they may weigh less than the maiden fish, 

 they have helped to propagate their species and may supply food and 

 sport in future years. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



Scales of "wired" salmon which had been marked when migrating as smolts in 



1905 and were recaptured in 1907 on their first return to the river. 



Fig. 1. Scale of a 12^-lb. summer salmon ( x 15) recaptured on 7th May 1907. Outside 

 the second annual ring (which is formed about the end of the second year's 

 feeding in the sea), the more open lines representing the commencement of 

 the growth of the third summer are seen towards the margin of the scale. 



Fig. 2. Scale of a 27 lb. autumn salmon ( x 12) recaptured on 9th August 1907. This 

 fish had remained a longer time in the sea, and the additional growth of 

 the third summer in salt water is seen in the increased number of lines 

 exterior to the second annual ring. The magnification is slightly less than 

 that of Fig. 1 ; but in no case can the size of a scale be taken as indicating 

 the weight of a fish, This 27-pounder was heavier than the other 

 "wired" fish recaptured in the same autumn. 

 Note. — Photographs of the scales of "wired" grilse and small spring salmon were 



given in the 25th Report (Part II., App. II.). 



