THE SALMON. 131 



plentiful as they are, or in fact that the race should not be all but 

 exterminated. 



Salraon are in best condition when first they come up from the 

 sea, being then of a dark colour over the back, which strongly 

 contrasts with the silvery scales beneath. At this time they are 

 infested with a parasitical insect, and it is said by some that the 

 annoyance they receive in consequence is the cause of these fish aban- 

 doning the sea, as these vermin soon die in the fresh water. Be 

 this as it may, they produce no ill effect on the health or condition 

 of the salmon, which are ever found to be in the best condition when 

 these vermin are on them. After being a short time in the fresh 

 water, the colour of the back assumes a lighter tint, whilst the 

 sides and under parts assume a duller cast, approaching sometimes 

 even to a dusky hue : and the low jaw particularly in the male 

 becomes enlongated to a considerable degree, turning upwards in 

 a hooked form. The spawn is deposited amongst the gravel, and 

 just as this takes place the fish are at their very worst ; but imme- 

 diately after this they cast off their old scales, and assuming fresh 

 ones regain in some degree their former appearance, but which 

 bears about the same proportion to what they looked in their prime, 

 as a man just recovering from the jaundice would bear to one of 

 healthy appearance, so that notwithstanding some little improve- 

 ment may take place, these fish can never be said to be fit for food 

 till their constitutions have been again renovated by a visit to the 

 sea, which the greater part make off for soon after the moulting is 

 over, though some remain behind till the spring is somewhat 

 advanced, and by that means not unfrequently get beneaped, like 

 ships in a bar harbour for want of sufficient water to float them 

 from pool to pool. 



The distance that salmon will ascend the fresh waters, even to 

 the very spring head, and the difficulties they will overcome to 

 arrive there, is truly wonderful. Instances have occurred of these 

 fish travelling some hundred leagues from the sea, having in their 

 course to leap up over cascades and struggle through rapids, a per- 

 son unacquainted with the extraordinary powers of the fish would 

 scarcely believe possible ; though instances frequently occur of 

 their perishing by missing their aim, and being cast on the dry 

 rocks, where they are either killed by the violence of the fall or ex- 

 pire on the dry land, being unable again to reach the natural ele- 

 ment At the fall of Kilmorac on the Beauley in Invernesshire, 



s3 



