KING OF THE RIVERS. 95 



Nor is he less bold, fierce, and persevering, than he is Avell 

 provided with the means of pursuit and the instruments of 

 destruction. 



As a proof of the strength and courage of this family, it is 

 recorded by Mr. Yarrel, that a Pike and a Trout, put together 

 in a confined place, had several battles for a particular spot, but 

 the Trout was eventuall}'^ the master. The comparative size of 

 these fish is not mentioned, but of course there was something 

 approaching to an equality, as the Pike constantly preys on 

 small Trout. 



It is very certain that, although great havoc is made among 

 Salmon by the seal and the otter, there is no fresh-water fish 

 which would venture on attacking them, not even the Pike, 

 at his largest size. 



The Salmon grows to a very large bulk, though the average 

 run is probably from eight to sixteen pounds ; and as is the 

 case with many kinds of fish, the middle-sized, of twelve or 

 fourteen pounds, are generally considered the best in an epicurean 

 point of view, and afford, commonly speaking, nearly as much 

 sport when hooked, as the monsters of the species. 



"The present London season, 1S35," says Mr. Yarrel, speaking 

 on this point, " has been more than usually remarkable for 

 large Salmon. I have seen ten different fish, varying from 

 thirty-eight to forty pounds each." A notice appeared in the 

 public papers of one that Aveighed fifty-five pounds. Salmon, 

 however, of much larger size have been occasionally taken. INIr. 

 Mudie has recorded one of sixty pounds. In a note to the 

 history of the Salmon, in several editions of Walton, mention 

 is made of one that weighed seventy pounds ; Pennant has 



