60 PAIRING OF SALMON, 



and secured, they are sure to be destroyed by other 

 fish. 



I once accidentally saw a large salmon speared 

 on the river Avon in the very act of spawning ; 

 it was, as I know from circumstances, in the month 

 of November. When she was taken out of the 

 water I observed the roe to drop from her one by 

 one at intervals of about a second of time, or 

 rather perhaps a second and a half. 



As the kipper is in close attendance for the pur- 

 pose of impregnation, and also for securing the roe 

 in the pit or bed by filling it with sand, it is certain- 

 ly probable that they pair. If there is no kipper the 

 eggs must be abortive. Should they pair it is the 

 worst of policy, according to the common practice, 

 to cut off that which causes the increase. There is, 

 however, much to be said on the other side of the 

 question, which we shall presently examine. But 

 whether they do pair, or whether they do not, this 

 enquiry, founded upon facts, shows the importance 

 of allowing ample time hi the breeding season to 

 these fish, and that they should not be molested or 

 frightened from place to place at this critical junc- 

 ture, when all should be quietness and privacy. 

 The pit which the salmon digs in the sand, is as it 

 were her nest, and there is every reason to sup- 

 pose that, like birds, she will forsake her nest if 

 disturbed in it ; this is a further proof of the enor- 

 mous and incalculable injury sustained by the pub- 

 lic from this cursed and cruel system, which, as it 

 cuts up the brood by the roots, should be speedily, 



