RIVER FISH AND FISHING. 



365 



The COMMON SALMON, Salmo Salar, stands at the head 

 of American fish, as affording the best sport to the angler, 

 and the greatest treat to the gourmand ; its flesh being 

 rich in flavor, and of a beautiful red color. It is a fish 

 of large size, sometimes attaining to the weight of 50 or 

 even 60 pounds, and of beautiful proportions. The head 

 is small ; upper jaw longer than the lower ; vomer fur- 

 nished with teeth ; body slightly arched on the back, 

 which ought to be broad and muscular, and gradually 

 tapering to the tail, which is broad, and ends in a crescen- 

 tic curve. The color of the salmon when in season, is a 

 purplish-black on the back, softening into a silvery-gray 

 on the sides, and ending in a pure white on the belly. 

 When out of season, these colors are represented by a 

 dull brown on the back, reddish or pale-brown on the 

 sides, and reddish-white on the belly. The male has 

 several small, irregular, and copper-colored spots on his 

 sides. These in the female are larger, darker, and gener- 

 ally round or lunated. The male is also more slender. 

 The scales are middle-sized, and are easily detached. The 



