OUR INLAND FISHERIES. 10 



later still), when on the first flood that comes down 

 the river after they reach the estuary, they commence 

 running up, being assured that there is plenty of 

 water over the fords and shallow places for them to 

 pass up to the best spawning-grounds. 



The spawning commences with the early fish in 

 November, and continues through December, and in 

 late rivers even through January and February. 

 Having deposited and covered their spawn or eggs 

 in suitable gravel beds, in holes, or redds, as they 

 are termed, which they burrow or scrape out for 

 that purpose, they are so exhausted with the pro- 

 cess, that they are quiescent for some time. Parasitic 

 insects attack them in numbers, and the fish has 

 not the energy to rid itself of them, and the 

 salmon, or kelt, as it is called at this time, is 

 often a foul and disgusting object, covered with 

 sores. Lethargic, lank, and bad coloured, when taken 

 from the water, it becomes very offensive speedily, 

 and the flesh, which is white and flaccid, is mere 

 carrion, and excessively unwholesome and repulsive. 

 Yet thousands of these fish are caught by poachers 

 yearly, and tons of them are exported weekly to 

 Trance, or are smoked or kippered, and their nature 

 being thus disguised, they find a ready market both 

 at home and abroad. The destruction thus caused is 

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