of Edinburgh, Session 1878-79. 
235 
, The theory of absence of frost is also advocated by Mr Buckland, 
on the ground that the frost kills the spores of the fungus, and 
prevents them from germinating. 
Now, if this were the case, there ought to have been no disease 
during the past winter, as the severe and long-continued frost should 
have killed the spores. But we know that the disease has been of 
a most virulent character in the Eden, Tweed, and other affected 
rivers. But, further, I may add certain definite facts which show 
that the disease may spread even where a river is coated with 
ice. 
On 5th February I received from J. Dunne, Esq., chief-constable 
of Cumberland and Westmoreland, four salmon which were taken 
alive from the river Caldew, and, along with them, a report by 
Inspector John Nicholson, who observed them for a period of nine- 
teen days. Annexed is a copy of Inspector Nicholson’s report. 
“ Constabulary Station, 
“ Eden Town, ith February 1879. 
“ Sir, — I beg most respectfully to inform you that on the 16th 
of last month five salmon were seen by me in a pool in the river 
Caldew, at Holme Head Bridge, one of which had a small white 
mark on the end of its nose, and which I thought showed symptoms 
the case of the Carham pond fish fully proves that overcrowding is not the 
cause of fungus disease. 
On the other side of the question — The pond-fish had been at least ten times 
specially examined during the five years they had been detained in it. By in- 
vitation of the chairman, I was present on two of those occasions, along with 
members of the experimental committee, Mr List the conductor of the experi- 
ment, a number of other gentlemen and practical fishermen, and it was a 
matter of surprise to all present that the fish were found in such fine condition. 
At the final examination, which took place on 22d May 1879, I was pre- 
vented from being present, but arrangements were made that if any fish were 
found bearing marks of the disease they were to be transmitted to me. On 
the following day Mr List wrote to me that the “ fish were in splendid condi- 
tion for kelts, not the slightest sign of disease oh any one of them.” 
It is well known among taxmen, practical fishermen, bailiffs, and anglers, 
that it is usual to find dead and dying salmon and sea-trout in rivers every 
season after they have spawned. This kind of mortality has been observed 
and written about for upwards of two hundred years. Isaac Walton mentions 
this as well known in his time, and there is no reason why the Carham 
detenus should be an exception to this rule, seeing they had spawned twice 
or thrice during their detention. 
