161 



Salmon are frequently pursued by the porpmse and the 

 tunny ; both of which destroy great numbers, as they 

 return towards the inlets and mouths of rivers, after their 

 winter's excursion to sea : indeed both p&rpoises and 

 tunnies have occasionally been caught in the higher parts of 

 rivers, where they have ventured in pursuit of the salmon. 



In the spring, the salmon may be seen darting up the 

 rivers in numbers) they generally take their course 

 tlirough the strongest parts of the water, and if they meet 

 with any impediment, such as a weir, a dam, or a fall, 

 leap over in a surprising manner : nor are they easily dis- 

 couraged by one or more failures j on the contrary, 

 whether actuated by instinct, or by emulation, they re- 

 double their efforts, and seldom in the end fail of success. 



Many are shot while in the act of leaping, as it is 

 called j and numbers are caught in nets, suspended in 

 such manner under the fall, as to receive such fishes as 

 may not be successful in their attempts to reach the higher 

 water. 



The manner in which the salmon leaps is singular : it 

 descends deep into the water, and turning its head towards 

 the fall, makes upwards with all its force ; but, as it 

 reaches the surface, brings its tail up to its mouth, and, 

 using it as a spring, casts itself towards the height to be 

 surmounted. I have frequently seen them in this manner 

 ascend about ten or eleven feet, but I have fead of their 

 leaping much higher. 



It is wonderful that, on arriving at the top of the fall, 

 the impetuosity of the current does not hurry them back 

 to the lower water : this very seldom, or never, occurs ; 

 on the contrary, so soon as the salmon feels the element, 

 he instinctively opposes himself to the stream with such a 



readiness,. 



