202 FISHING IN AMERICAN WATEKS. 



THE SALMON. Salmo salar. 



CHAPTER V. 



THE SALMON. 



THIS is the head of a numerous species, or rather of many 

 families. The body is covered with fine scales ; the fins are 

 all soft-rayed except the second dorsal, which is composed of 

 a soft adipose film. It has an air-bladder which extends the 

 whole length of the abdomen. 



The genus Salmo contains those species, such as the salmon 

 and trout, in which the upper jaw is formed by the superior 

 maxillary bones the intermaxillaries being small situated 

 between the maxillaries. Usually these bones descend into 

 the front of the superior maxillaries, and form the upper 

 boundary of the mouth. The maxillaries, palatines, vomer, 

 and even the tongue, are furnished with teeth. The bran- 

 chiostegous, or gill rays, are about ten in number. 



Numerous species of this genus are found in the seas of the 

 northern hemisphere, one of the largest of which is the com- 

 mon salmon (Salmo salar. Lin.), a fish too well known, both 

 as to flavor and appearance, to require particular description. 

 Cuvier states that it is found in all the arctic seas, whence it 

 enters the rivers in the spring. 



The Salmo salar, which the inhabitants of the British Isles 

 appropriately distinguish as both " noble" and " royal," be- 

 cause it is the fish which affords them their highest degree 

 of sport in angling, according to their estimate of the value 

 of field-sports, has been differently esteemed for its esculent 

 qualities at several periods in modern history, though at no 



