138 SALMONIDES. 



surface, yet they are so timid, that if suddenly 

 frightened by a great splashing in the water, the 

 whole column will turn directly back towards the 

 sea. 



It has also been proved, by actual calculation, 

 that a salmon can scud at the surprising velocity 

 of thirty miles an hour. The young are about 

 twelve inches in length, when they visit the 

 sea for the first time. After the parent fish have 

 passed up the rivers, the spring following, the 

 young ones follow at a respectable distance, hav- 

 ing grown about six inches. 



At the end of two years, they weigh five, six 

 and seven pounds ; and at the expiration of six 

 years they have attained their ordinary dimen- 

 sions. A few of these fishes are carried to Phila- 

 delphia, but the Boston and New York markets 

 are suppUed, principally, by the packet-men from 

 the State of Maine. 



The Salmon Fishery of Newburgh, on the river 

 Tay, in Scotland, once produced a net rental of 

 seven thousand pounds sterling per annum. Very 

 numerous small fisheries on the same river, belong- 

 ing to small proprietors, pay three hundred pounds 

 annually. 



On the river Ness, in Scotland, the Salmon 

 Fishery has risen in value, in eleven years, from 

 two hundred to twelve hundred pounds a year. 



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