JFourtl) 



CHAPTER VII. 



OBSERVATIONS OF THE SALMON, WITH DIRECTIONS 

 HOW TO FISH FOR HIM. 



DISC A TOR. The salmon is accounted the 

 king of fresh- water fish, and is ever bred in 

 rivers relating to the sea, yet so high or far from it 

 as admits of no tincture of salt or brackishness. 

 He is said to breed or cast his spawn in most 

 rivers in the month of August; some say that 

 then they dig a hole or grave in a safe place in 

 the gravel, and there place their eggs or spawn 

 after the melter has done his natural office, and 

 then hide it most cunningly, and cover it over 

 with gravel and stones, and then leave it to their 

 Creator's protection, who by a gentle heat which 

 He infuses into that cold element makes it brood 

 and beget life in the spawn, and to become sam- 

 lets early in the spring next following. 



The salmons having spent their appointed time 

 and done this natural duty in the fresh waters, 

 they then haste to the sea before winter, both the 

 melter and spawner. But if they be stopped by 

 flood-gates or weirs, or lost in the fresh waters, 



