Description of the Species 159 



current is strong, and where there are stones 

 among which the eggs may lodge. The female 

 extrudes a few eggs and moves away. The male 

 then takes the same place and emits a quantity 

 of milt. In a short time the process is repeated, 

 and this continues day and night for one or two 

 weeks. At irregular intervals, the female turns 

 on her side and forces the tail into the gravel, 

 making an excavation six or eight inches deep 

 and several feet across. Thus are formed the 

 so-called salmon " nests," which are not nests at 

 all, as they are not made for the reception of 

 eggs and do not contain eggs, which are carried 

 farther down-stream by the current. The object 

 of these movements is undoubtedly to loosen the 

 eggs from the ovaries and thus facilitate their 

 expulsion. Doubtless but a small percentage of 

 the eggs deposited are ever fertilized, although, 

 from the equal number of males present, the 

 water must be more or less permeated with the 

 fertilizing product. 



Shortly after the spawning act is completed the 

 fish of both sexes die. Since coming into fresh 

 water, their vitality has gradually become reduced, 

 the scales have been absorbed, the fins and tail 

 have become worn off, the skiji has been lost 



