1 6 THE SrORTING FISH 



no share whatever in the more laborious portions 

 of the parental duties. 



The only extra-matrimonial function that he 

 performs consists in exerting an unwearied vigi- 

 lance to protect his seraglio from the invasions of 

 rival males, all of whom he assiduously endeavours 

 to expel, — living, in fact, in a perpetual state of 

 active hostilities. The female, regardless of the 

 frequent absences of her lord during these contests, 

 and probably satisfied with the presence of the 

 male Parrs, proceeds with her operations by throw- 

 ing herself, at intervals of a few minutes, upon her 

 side, and whilst in that position, by a rapid action 

 of the tail, she digs a receptacle for her eggs, a 

 portion of which she on each occasion deposits, 

 and, again turning on her side, covers it up by a 

 renewed action of the tail ; thus alternately dig- 

 ging, depositing, and covering ova until the whole 

 are laid, — a process usually occupying a period esti- 

 mated by different authorities at from three or four 

 to twelve days. 



In the case of the male fish being captured or 

 killed, the female retires to the nearest large pool 

 in search of a fresh mate, with whom she returns 

 and completes the process of depositing her eggs. 

 This she will repeat several times if her partner be 

 removed ; and it is mentioned as a fact by Mr. 

 Young that nine male Salmon in succession have 

 been thus killed from the side of a sinole female, 

 who then brought back with her, as companion, a 



