168 SALMON. 



do not consist of an incongruous multitude. By some of these 

 tlie land is reached at a distance from their ultimate destination, 

 so that they will have to pass along towards it by the windings 

 of the shore; and their actions then are frolicsome, by often 

 leaping out of the water to the height of three or four feet, 

 and falling back again on their side without appearing to make 

 a progress, or desiring to do it. But it has been often noticed 

 that, however strange it may be they should find out each 

 other, those only have become associated which belong to a 

 single river; towards which they hold their way in some 

 regular order, while each lesser division of which the hosts 

 consists is so well acquainted with, and attracted to its oAvn 

 branch of the stream, that if not forcibly driven out of its 

 course, it will quit the larger body, or pass by some inviting 

 streams, to enter the favourite district in which it first saw 

 the light; a circumstance the more surprising when we call to 

 mind the early age at which many of them left it and their 

 various wanderings afterwards in the ocean. It has been observed 

 that the fish of two rivers which even lie near each other, 

 when coming from the sea, are not accustomed to unite into 

 one assemblage, but that they arrange themselves and proceed 

 onward in separate hosts. But when these companies have 

 reached the mouth of the river they are often found to linger 

 there; and then it is especially that they find enemies waiting 

 for them, in the Grampus, Porpus, and Seal, which infiict 

 upon them no small terror as well as devastation. A cause of 

 this delay may be a want of a sufficient quantity of water in 

 the river, at a time perhaps when a warm season has brought 

 them onward prematurely; and even the ajDpearance of the sky, 

 Avhether bright or gloomy, will have an influence. The prospect 

 of a fall of rain is soon acknowledged and acted on; for it is 

 surprising to perceive how quickly fish become aware of atmos- 

 pheric changes, or even the prospect of them. But the hindrance 

 may continue for a week or two, until a fresh rush of water 

 excites them, and then they j)ass rapidly upward to the genial 

 depth of the flowing stream. 



According to the very precise account given us by Bloch, 

 Salmon are accustomed to enter a river in two ranks, which 

 form two sides of a triangle; and the stoutest fish, which is 

 usually a female, leads the march, while at about a fathom 



