166 The Natural History of the Salmotu 



has taken place the yoiing Salmon seems to hear the far off roar of the ocean 

 and to have dreams of the pleasant feeding grounds avray down in its fathom- 

 less deeps, for now he starts sea-ward, nor tarries long until he bathes for 

 the first time in its salt waters. Kere he remains about three mouths, 

 feeding, as is now believed, principally on the e^gi^. of the sea-urchin and the 

 crab, which diet, with his sea-bathing, so well agrees with his constitution 

 that though weighing not more than seven ounces when he left the river he 

 will return at the end of three months weighing not less than four or five 

 pounds. At this stage of his growth he is called a Grilse, not yet having 

 attained that maturity which entitled him to the name of Salmon, and is, by 

 an experienced observer, to be distinguished from a small Salmon, mainly by 

 the smaller scales, longer and larger fins and more forked tail. The Grilse 

 are however capable of propagating their kind, and for this purpose ascend 

 the streams in July and August, returning again to the sea when their work 

 is done, where they remain to the following-spring, vs'hen they appear again 

 in the rivers now having attained their maturity, as full grown Salmon, 

 weighing ten or may be twenty pounds. 



Economically, the Salmon is worthy of more than a passing considera- 

 tion. There is no fish that ranks so high in general estimation, whether he 

 be fresh, pickled, or smoked. For this reason he has been most mercilessly 

 hunted, -without regard to condition or age. It is all one v/hether he be 

 '• fair, fat, and forty," fresh from the sea ; or lean, lank, and big-headed, just 

 from the spawning beds ; whether a full-grown Salmon at the maximum of 

 size and value, or a Grilse not having attained more than half his eTOv»th. 

 nay, even a Smolt or a Parr. In the United States they have long since 

 left the waters of the Hudson and the Connecticut, and are yearly diminish- 

 ing in the Kennebeck and Penobscot ; and there is much reason to fear the 

 same result in our own waters. Kor is it to the thoughtless destruction only 

 of the fish that we are to attribute their rapid decrease. The erection of 

 dams on the streams of such height that few or none can ascend to the 

 spawning grounds, necessarily compels the Salmon to forsake them. It is a 

 question well worthy the consideration of every political economist, of every 

 one who has an interest in the full development of the resources of his country, 

 (and who has not ? ) whether these abundant waters may not, without 

 prejudice to their fullest use for navigation and manufactures, continue, in 

 their fisheries, to be sources of wealth to the province. An examination of 

 the exports of Canada will shew that in 1852 the value of the fish exported 

 was £70,961 ; in 1853, £82,753 ; and in 1854, £84,730. The Beef and 

 Pork taken together exported in 1854 amounted to only £33,544 143. Gd., 

 not worth half as much as the fish. I have not the means of ascertaining 

 how large a portion of the fish were Salmon, but this I do know, that as the 

 Salmon is the most valuable, fish for fish, the more we can develope our 

 resources in Salmon, the more proportion ably shall we add to the value of 

 our fisheries. That with proper regulations, these resources can be more 

 fully developed, is abundantly proved by the vast increase of Salmon in the 

 Tay, Forth, Clyde, and other rivers, smce the enforcement of protective laws. 



