14 



Appendices to Thirteenth Annual Report 



is given by both observers, showing by means of a curve the relative 

 frequency with which the different sizes occur. In this diagram the 

 length of the fish in each group is shown by horizontal measurements, and 

 their number i>y vertical measurements. The great regularity with which 

 these curves rise and fall would seem to show that the Swiss Pro- 

 fessor lias good foundation for believing that the principal laws which 

 govern the migration, growth, &c. of salmon may be investigated on 

 these lines. For, as far as Rhine salmon are concerned, the clearly defined 

 elevations in the diagram (which represent the great majority of the fish) 

 occurring at three regular intervals would seem to show three distinct 

 stages of life at which the fish seek the fresh water, while the depressions, 

 which do not quite touch the zero line, represent the few exceptional 

 variations which must always occur in the growth of every description of 

 animal. 



Co-operation of It would be premature at present to compare the result of the inves- 

 £saiman° ardS tio at i° ns made on the Tweed with those conducted on the Ehine. It is 

 Fishery In- a subject, however, to which I hope to devote my attention on a future 

 vestigation. occasion, as these investigations are being continued and extended over a 

 wider area. With a view of extending them to a number of rivers in 

 Scotland the following circular has recently been issued by the direction 

 of the Fishery Board to the District Boards inviting their co-operation 

 and assistance : — 



Sir, — I am directed by the Fishery Board for Scotland to inform you that 

 the Board propose conducting certain specified investigations into the life- 

 history and habits of salmon, and to invite the co-operation and assistance of 

 your Board. 



It is now generally recognised in every country where the fisheries form an 

 important industry, that, in order to advance their development, it is necessary 

 that the life-history and habits of the fish should be made the subject of careful 

 and systematic inquiry. Such inquiries, with regard to salmon, are being 

 carried on in Holland, Switzerland, and Norway, and are resulting in the 

 accumulation of much knowledge regarding the fisheries in those countries. 



In Scotland, investigations have, from time to time, been made on different 

 rivers ; but it has been found that such investigations, however accurately 

 made on single rivers, lose their value from want of standards with which to 

 compare them. Similar questions should be made the subject of systematic 

 investigation at the same time over the widest area. It is, however, only by 

 the co-operation and assistance of Salmon Fishery District Boards, that such 

 investigations can be made on a sufficiently large scale. 



The points which it is proposed shall form the subject of the present 

 inquiry, are as follows : — (1) the development of the milt and roe at different 

 seasons of the year ; (2) the food of salmon in the sea and in the fresh water ; 

 (3) the proportion of male to female salmon taken in each month ; and (4) the 

 migration, growth, &c. of salmon by means of marking. 



Some information has already been collected on these points during last 

 year by a trained observer employed under the direction of the Fishery Board 

 for Scotland at Berwick- on-T weed, with the permission of the Berwick Salmon 

 Fishing Company. The information collected by the Board's observer at 

 Berwick, as well as that collected in foreign countries, seems to justify con- 

 tinued progress being made in the investigation of these points. For this 

 purpose, the Board have engaged the services of Mr Tosh, M.A., B.Sc, 

 Fisheries (Woodall) Prizeman, University of St Andrews, a trained naturalist 

 who will devote his whole time to the work of inquiry. 



In order that Mr Tosh's services may be turned to the best account, it is 

 necessary that he should be furnished with a large quantity of material from a 

 number of different districts. Those District Boards, therefore, who are 

 willing to co-operate in these investigations, are invited to do so in two ways. 

 First, by collecting and forwarding the viscera of salmon to Mr Tosh for ex- 

 amination, and second, by applying to the Board for marks when opportunities 

 of marking salmon occur. 



