THE SALMON 29 



is lower, and the falls and rapids are less difficult to 

 pass ; besides, the spawning season is nearer. 



The vexed question whether Salmon feed in fresh 

 water may now be regarded as settled in the 

 negative ; that is to say, there is no active pursuit 

 of food or regular feeding with resultant increase of 

 weight ; indeed, from the time a Salmon enters fresh 



Fig. 6. — Head of adult female Salmon. 



water its weight gradually decreases. It is true 

 that occasionally Salmon may take the fly which is 

 on the water, or that some small fish or other 

 tempting morsel which comes within easy reach may 

 be snapped up, but it is by no means certain that 

 the various lures with which the angler tempts the 

 Salmon really appeal to his appetite. The present 

 writer, when spinning for Perch with a small 

 spoon or a Devon Minnow on the River Yeo, has 



