nected with the propagation of the species. The proper 

 spawning place of the salmon, is in the upper parts of the 

 rivers and brooks having alpine sources. And it prefers 

 to all others, a gravelly pebbled bottom, where there are 

 large stones free from every kind of slime. To attain 

 these stations, it leaves the sea, and ascends the rivers 

 with impetuous violence, disregarding the rapids and ca- 

 taracts, and overcoming obstacles almost incredible. When 

 the spawning season is over, it returns to the sea. Some, 

 what later, the young brood comes into life, and, as it gains 

 sufficient strength, it also descends to the sea. 



The fish conceive about the end of July, or early 

 in August ; and in September they begin to leave the sea 

 and ascend the rivers. This transit continues during the 

 months of October and November. About the beginning 

 of November the spawning commences; and it continues 

 until towards the close of December. But though these 

 are the usual periods ; they are, of course, liable to be 

 affected, in some degree, by various causes. 



Having reached the proper stations, the spawning fish 

 generally betake themselves to retired shallows, where a 

 kind of trough or furrow is formed in the gravel, in which 

 they deposit their spawn. They then proceed to cover it, 

 by throwing up the gravel upon the troughs, which they 

 level with wonderful precision. But they pay no more 

 attention to it. 



The exertion required for these operations, aided, 

 perhaps, by the effects of the fresh water, reduces 

 the fish to a very weakly state, and retains them for 

 about a fortnight on the spawning ground. They 

 then begin to move downwards, and, gradually as 

 they gain strength, seek their way back to the sea. In 

 the month of January they have begun their course ; and, 



