AMERICAN FISHES. 



SALMONID.E, 



THE SALMON FAMILY. 



IT ^must not be supposed, although, for want of reflection on the 

 subject, many persons probably may expect it, that the closest observer 

 and most accurate discriminator of the facts on which the science of 

 the naturalist is founded, can lay down the law with regard to the 

 habits, the food, the haunts, the appetites, or even the distinct species, 

 of that portion of the animal creation which dwell for the most part 

 unseen in the bosom of the waters, with the same certainty as he can 

 those of domestic animals, or even of birds and beasts, fera naturd. 



Of the latter even, especially of wild birds, which emigrate from 

 clime to clime with the change of seasons, there has been much diffi- 

 culty in ascertaining the growth, the age, and the changes of plumage, 

 from the immature to the adult animal, or from the winter to the sum- 

 mer dress so much so, that out of individuals differing in age, sex, or 

 season, of the same family, and belonging to a single species, in many 

 instances, two, three or more distinct varieties have been created by 

 naturalists. 



Much has been effected, indeed, of late, in these particulars, owing 

 to the greater science and experience of modern naturalists who now 



