24 THE HABITS OF THE SALMON. 



find no obstructions as they press onwards, and the 

 weather and water are favourable, they travel straight 

 away for the lake without halting longer than is 

 necessary to rest. The progress they make entirely 

 depends upon the temperature of the water, which 

 during the early spring months is generally lower 

 than at any other time of the year. It is for this 

 reason that, although the height and colour of the 

 water suits them in spring, salmon are apt to tarry 

 in the lower pools and delay their journey until the 

 water gets warmer. 



The following facts, the truth of which I can 

 vouch for, may be interesting, as they show the 

 effect the temperature has upon the progress salmon 

 make in their journey from the time they leave the 

 sea. The Thurso and Naver, to give an example, 

 discharge their waters into the sea on the extreme 

 north coast of Scotland, and are about thirty miles 

 distant from one another. The part of the Thurso 

 frequented by early ascending salmon flows out of 

 Loch More, which is a small loch at its head and a 



