c 26 ON THE CLOSE SEASON. 



ing, which may account for the different times 

 when particular fish are in season. The breeding 

 season of all animals is not uniform : — for in- 

 stance, the bitch breeds in spring and fall ; the 

 mare always in the spring; but the cow at all 

 seasons. With regard to salmon, there may be ex- 

 ceptions to the general rule ; they certainly do 

 endeavour to beat up the rivers at all times of the 

 year, and this must be for some natural purpose, 

 and none more likely than that certain ones may 

 then want to rid themselves of their burthens. It 

 is said, also, that one of their motives for entering 

 the fresh water, is to rid themselves of that trou- 

 blesome insect the lernaea salmonea, which ad- 

 heres to their skin when they first come out of the 

 salt water (see note to the Abstract) ; but their 

 natural and greatest enemy, except man, is the 

 porpoise, by whom they are so far intimidated as 

 not to go far to sea, but rather to keep on the coast, 

 among the rocks, where they find abundance of 

 food, near the entrance of rivers ; and though no 

 food is found in them, yet it is not likely they 

 would fatten without it. These ravenous animals 

 may also drive them into the rivers, for upon 

 many occasions they have been known to pursue 

 them thither to a considerable height ; a large fish 

 of this genus was some time since taken in the 

 Dart, with several salmon in his stomach. The 

 otter is also a very great enemy to the salmon ; 

 and a price should therefore be set on the head of 

 that animal. 



