446 AMERICAN FISHES. 



at times eager enough for food, as is shown by their eager rushes at the 

 angler's fly-hook. The absenteeism of the Sahiion is due principally to 

 the dearth of desirable food in the rivers. The young fish stay in fresh 

 water for one, or frequently, two years. When they pass down to the sea 

 they weigh but a few ounces. They find congenial food and begin to grow 

 rapidly. The broad world of ocean affords them new opportunities for 

 adventure and self-advancement, and it is only when summoned by the 

 duties of family life that they return within the narrow limits of the old 

 home. When Salmon live in the lakes they prey upon minnows and other 

 small fishes, but those of the sea delight also in small crustaceans and their 

 eggs, to which they owe the vivid color of their flesh. The habits of 

 successive generations become hereditary traits, and the differences in their 

 life-histories seem to justify the claim of the Land-locked Salmon to be 

 regarded as a variety of Salmo salar, though it is hardly to be disting- 

 uished except by its lesser size and some slight peculiarities in coloration. 

 It has been designated Sal/no salar, variety sebago.^ Although both 

 originated in the same primitive stock, it is not probable that one changes 

 to the other except after many generations,, under the influence of forced 

 changes in their environment. 



The leaping of the Salmon is one of the most marvellous of feats, and 

 has been the theme of many writers. 



■' Here, when the labouring fish doth at the foot arrive, 

 And knows that by his strength but vainly doth he strive, 

 His tail takes in his teeth ; and bending like a bow 

 That's to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw ; 

 Then springing with his tail, as doth a little wand 

 That bended, end to end. and flirted from the hand. 

 Far off itself doth cast ; so doth the Salmon vaut. 

 And if at first he fail, his second somersaut 

 He instantly assays, and from his nimble ring 

 Still yesting, never leaves until himself he fling 

 Above the streamful top of the surrounded heap." 



This was once the idea of the mechanism of the leap of the Salmon. 

 A modern English writer thus describes the actual feat : "I watched the 

 fish with a raceglass for some ten minutes before disturbing them. There 

 is a very deep pool at the point where the waterfall joins the lower level 

 of the water. The fish came out of this pool with the velocity of an 



*See H. H. Thompson's essay in The American Angler, \, 296, 



