56 FISH HARVESTING. 
in length. It is quite clear that these teeth 
grow during the time the fish remain in fresh- 
water; no shrinking of the gums could account 
for such a length of tooth; and their use, I be- 
lieve, is for fighting. 
My own observations lead me to assume that 
at least there are eight or ten males to every 
female; and as one spawning-bed is used by 
many females, terrible battles ensue between the 
males as to which shall impregnate the ova; 
and it would appear, reasoning from analogy, 
that the same law holds good with fish as with 
gregarious mammals and birds—the stronger and 
more able male always begets the offspring. I 
- hardly think the ova of a female fresh-run sal- 
mon, impregnated by the milt of an old and 
spent male fish, would produce as strong and 
healthy an offsprmg as the male fat, fresh, 
vigorous, and healthy. I cannot help thinking 
there must have been some purpose—as antlers 
are given to the deer tribes, spurs to the males 
of gregarious birds, and like examples—in giving 
such formidable weapons to these salmon during 
their breeding-time; and why not the reason 
above stated ? 
Quoting from Dr. Scouler: ‘ Observatory Inlet 
(which I should imagine to be just such an inlet 
