S A L M O . 189 



Salmon are known to change their haunts ; in 

 many rivers in which they were formerly so abun- 

 dant, that ^'farmer's servants stipulated to have 

 them only twice a iveeJc as food,^ not one is now 

 to be found. 



THE SALMON. 



They were formerly abundant in the Thames, 

 and caught in great numbers, but since the in- 

 troduction of steam-boats on this liver, they 

 are rarely to be found. 



In some rivers of England and Wales, at the 

 season when the salmon and their fry return to 

 the sea, the quantity taken in one week has ex- 

 ceeded thousands in a day, and in some instances 

 in such quantities that they were given to the 

 swine. 



At Leixlip, in Ireland, is a very high cataract, 

 called the Salmon-leap, from the number of 

 these fish which are to be seen leaping it, in 

 the season when they return up the river to 

 spawn. In fine weather, says a friend, ^' I have 



