NATURAL HISTORY OF THE QUINNAT SALMON. 
129 
The percentage of loss in ripe females is determined by comparing the total 
average weight with the average weight of specimens of the same length weighed 
at Black Diamond, the latter being taken as a basis. The loss percentage as stated 
for the spent fishes does not include the loss of ova. The percentage is determined 
by comparing the weight of spent fishes plus the weight of the extruded ova with 
the weight of Black Diamond fishes of the same length. The weight of the extruded 
ova is determined by finding the difference in weight between the ovaries of spent 
fishes and those of fishes just arrived at the spawning-grounds. 
Table of average weights of female salmon. 
Length, centime- 
ters. 
Black Diamond. 
Ripe, unspawned. 
Spent fishes. 
Num- 
ber of 
speci- 
mens. 
Average 
weight. 
Num- 
ber of 
speci- 
mens. 
Average 
weight. 
Loss, 
per 
cent. 
Num- 
ber of 
speci- 
mens. 
Average 
weight. 
Loss, 
per 
cent. 
Total. 
Ovary. 
Total. 
Ovary. 
1 
7 70S 
i 
5,680 
67 
13 
06 
17 
8,249 
2 
7, 048 
1,595 
15 
67 .. 
15 
8’ 134 
i 
4,680 
80 
24 
68 
9 
8 631 
2 
7,760 
2,018 
u 
i 
69 
6 
3, 949 
i 
7,720 
1,921 
14 
4, 988 
140 
25 
70 
6 
8,981 
] 
8,390 
2,057 
71 
4 
i 
6, 340 
113 
15 
72 . 
10,227 
6,573 
69 
16 
73 . 
7 
10, 060 
2 
6, 398 
69 
15 
74 
1 
10,700 
2 
9,095 
2, 192 
15 
2 
7,450 
92 
11 
76 
3 
11,508 
1 
9,930 
2,014 
14 
I 
6,060 
90 
31 
77 
3 
12,330 
1 
11,600 
6 
78 
2 
12 , 220 
2 
1 1 ' 995 
80 _ _ . 
g 
14,763 
3 
11,993 
2, 372 
19 
1 
10,990 
159 
11 
82. 
14,405 
1 
8,730 
104 
24 
12 
19 
The averages of the loss percentages are: For males upon their arrival at the 
spa wning- grounds, 1G per cent; for males at time of death, including loss of milt, 
2G per cent; for females upon arrival at the spawning-grounds, 12 per cent; for 
females at the time of death, not including loss of ova, 19 per cent. The difference 
between the loss as deterlnined in 1900 and 1901 is accounted for by there having 
been many more grilse weighed at the spawning-grounds the former year. (See 
“ Two forms of males,” page 130.) 
Under the heading “Details of migration” (page 124) will be found an account 
of three salmon that were released in the Sacramento near Rio Yista, after being 
weighed and branded, and subsequently taken at the Government fisheries. One 
had lost 15 per cent of its weight, another 25 percent, and the other 26 percent during 
the migration. 
One important point to be considered in this study of the loss in weight during 
migration is the deterioration in the value of the flesh as a food. The loss of 12 or 
16 or 25 per cent is entirely in nutriment. If even a very fat beef were starved two 
months, or until it had lost 16 per cent of its total weight, no one would care to eat 
of its flesh. But such is the condition of the fall salmon upon their arrival at the 
upper portion of the river. They have eaten nothing for over two months, and nutri- 
ment to the extent of about 16 per cent of their weight has been absorbed, almost 
wholly from the flesh. 
It is evident, therefore, that the fall salmon taken at the upstream points have 
but little value as food, and their capture should be prohibited, 
F. C. B. 1902—9 
