OF GREAT BRITAIN. 17 



large yellow Trout I In consequence, we may sup- 

 pose, of the arduous nature of his military duties 

 and reddish colour at this period, the term " old 

 soldier" is frequently used to designate the male 

 Salmon after spawning. 



Return of Salmon to the sea as " spent 

 fish " after spawning. 



After spawning, the adult fish are for some time 

 in a very weak and exhausted state, and have not 

 energy sufficient immediately to return to the sea. 

 They usually drop down from the spawning- 

 grounds, or " redds," to the first quiet deep, where 

 they remain until their strength is somewhat re- 

 cruited. They then continue falling back with the 

 winter and spring floods, descending from pool to 

 pool, and avoiding as much as possible weirs and 

 rapid currents, until they reach the sea, where they 

 quickly recover their condition, to ascend again 

 (at least in many cases) in the autumn or succeed- 

 ing spring for the same purpose as before, — always 

 remaining, however, for a considerable period in 

 the brackish water or tideway before making either 

 decided change. 



After the conclusion of the spawning-process, 

 Salmon are called " spent " or unclean fish, or 

 " Kelts;" and at this time they are quite unfit for 

 food — -indeed almost poisonous — and their capture 

 is prohibited by law. Lately-spawned Kelts may 



