The Descent of Man

males. In 1867 he again "calls attention to the
vast disproportion of the males to the females.
We had at the outset at least ten males to one
female." Afterwards females sufficient for obtaining
ova were procured. He adds, "from the
great proportion of the males, they are constantly
fighting and tearing each other on the
spawning-beds." (71. 'The Stormontfield Piscicultural
Experiments,' 1866, p. 23. The 'Field'
newspaper, June 29, 1867.) This disproportion,
no doubt, can be accounted for in part, but
whether wholly is doubtful, by the males ascending
the rivers before the females. Mr. F.
Buckland remarks in regard to trout, that "it is a
curious fact that the males preponderate very
largely in number over the females. It INVA-
RIABLY happens that when the first rush of
fish is made to the net, there will be at least
seven or eight males to one female found captive.
I cannot quite account for this; either the
males are more numerous than the females, or
the latter seek safety by concealment rather