THE SALMON. 99 
When thej leave the salt water, the sea-lice that have 
fastened to them fall off, frequently to be rej)laced by 
fresh-water parasites, and this is sometimes given as the 
reason for their leaving the sea so early in the year, 
although they do not spawn till the Fall. While spawn- 
ing they are unfit to eat, and after the operation are 
utterly exhausted. In this condition, when returning to 
the sea, they are termed kelts, the male being distin- 
guished as a kipper and the female as a baggit. As the 
spawning season approaches, a curious cartilaginous 
hook grows from the lower jaw, which is supposed to be 
a provision of nature to prevent an unfortunate termina- 
tion to the many desperate contests between the males 
at that period. 
The habits of salmon are by no means determined; 
in fact, little is known positively about them. It has 
been even suggested that grilse are a distinct species, 
although it is hardly doubted with us but they are young 
salmon. Their times of visiting the fresh water are 
subject to peculiar individual exceptions; in fact, it may 
be said there are two opinions among fishermen, and 
persons who have watched salmon for twenty and thirty 
years assert that some are ascending while others are 
descending. Izaak Walton says that salmon spawn in 
August, which is directly contrary to the views of other 
English writers, and certainly not in accordance with the 
practice of our fish. Others again say they return to 
the salt water in September, and reascend tlie rivers 
later in the Fall. The young in all stages have been 
disputed over, and called by divers names, such as pinks, 
smolts, parr, brandling, samlet, peal, grilse, until one 
