SALMON. 167 



where the rivers are large, and in summer full of water from 

 the moisture of the climate, without any mineral impregnation, 

 the chief season is from early in the year to the end of summer; 

 although, as already remarked, even this varies in rivers not 

 very distant from each other. It is at this time that the fishing 

 in the north is in its greatest activity, as well for sport as 

 profit, while in the Severn the season of excellency is the 

 opposite of this; and in Cornwall, with a large part of Devon- 

 shire, the fish is altogether absent until some time about the 

 middle of August, but more commonly late in September; and 

 it is only from October to December that the fishermen can 

 follow their occupation with the prospect of profit; the conse- 

 quence of this variation, therefore, is that in some districts the 

 Salmon is in an acceptable condition for the table at a time 

 when in others they cannot be obtained, or are not fit to be 

 eaten. With the protection of the law as it now stands, this 

 fish cannot fail to increase in number in some rivers, especially 

 in the west of England; but as this abundance can only take 

 place in what is termed the fence time, it can only be for the 

 benefit of those who set the law at defiance, and to this therefore 

 there appears an almost irresistible temptation. 



It cannot be alone in obedience to sexual instinct that this 

 fish is urged to seek the fresh water; for a large portion of 

 them in the more frequented districts are known to leave the 

 ocean many months before an enlargement of the roe can be 

 discerned; and not less than nine or ten months before the 

 time when they are expected to deposit it; and we shall have 

 occasion also to shew how probable it is that there exists a 

 diflferent influence, which exerts a powerful impulse on the 

 motions of these emigrants. This entrance into fresh water of 

 a portion of these fish, and a portion only, and these in long 

 succession, will begin to take place soon after the beginning of 

 the year, and even at a time when there are breeding fish still 

 engaged in the duty of shedding their spawn; and therefore 

 considerably before the time when a large portion of these latter 

 have returned to the sea; which they lose no long time in doing 

 — the females before the males — when exhausted by that natural 

 proceeding. 



When drawing near the land they form themselves into 

 companies, which sometimes include large numbers; but these 



