ii8 
TJie Scottish Naturalist. 
to the sea, where they spawn in the brackish, water in December, 
the young fry being observed in numbers from February onwards 
in the tidal waters of the Clyde. 
The remainder of the adult eels seem to remain in the loch, 
dormant, until the following spring, when they are again found in 
plenty by anyone setting lines or traps for them. This remainder 
of mature eels probably go down to the sea at the next, or some 
future period of migration. No upward migration of large eels 
has ever been observed, and the apparent conclusion — or rather 
inference — is that when once the eel descends from the fresh water 
to his birthplace in the sea he never returns. 
Anguilla latirostris, Risso, the Broad-nosed Eel. 
This species has probably much the same habits as its sharp- 
nosed congener ; it is, however, much scarcer in Loch Lomond, 
and grows to a larger size. From what I have learned from those 
who angle for eels, and from my own observation, I should say 
that the present species sometimes attains a weight of 12 or 14 
lbs., whilst the sharp-nose rarely exceeds 5 or 6 lbs. It is seldonij 
however, that examples of these sizes are obtained, the tackle in use 
for this angling being generally incapable of holding such monsters. 
Salmo salar, Linne, the Salmon. • 
The true salmon frequents the loch the whole year round, being 
most plentiful from July till October. A run of large-sized fish 
takes place in March or April, but the main run is in July. Grilse 
are chiefly obtained from middle of July onwards, but occasion- 
ally they make their appearance as early as 20th June. The 
largest salmon I have seen taken by rod and line weighed 31 J 
lbs., but by net I have a note of one which turned the scale at 41 
lbs, ; and I am told on good authority that, about forty years ago, 
a fish weighing 52 lbs. Tron weight (equalling about 70 lbs. avoird.) 
was taken in the Leven at Dalquhurn. The grilse, as a rule, do 
not exceed 6 lbs. 
The salmon enter such tributary streams as afford them proper 
shelter early in August, and remain there until they have spawned ; 
but in the shallower waters, such as the Luss, they do not make 
their appearance until December, when they are ripe for spawning, 
and return to the loch as soon as that operation is performed. 
Kelts, or spent fish, remain in the loch until April. Smolts start 
upon their downward migration in early May in great numbers, 
and have all passed down to the sea by the first days of June. 
