SALMON 31 



belly, some are inclined to think that (as it is 

 said of the Herrings) it lives upon water alone, 

 and that this renders its flesh so delicate : but 

 this opinion is refuted by Willoughby. He 

 says, ' Mr. Johnson assures me that the Salmon 

 is fond of fine red worms, when they are thrown 

 into the water, but I shall not determine this 

 point. I shall only observe, that, as the Lord of 

 Nature, who has created nothing in vain, has 

 given the Salmon good teeth, we may conclude 

 the former opinion is without foundation ; for it 

 were absurd to say they were given them only 

 for weapons, to defend themselves against Fish of 

 prey. I am to observe also, that one of my 

 correspondents affirms, that he has found small 

 Herrings in a Salmon's belly : nay, though the 

 Salmon is but seldom disposed to bite at the 

 hook, yet he will sometimes do it.' ' 



Pontoppidan held the opinion still asserted 

 by some Norwegians who own fjord-nets, that 

 " The Salmon unquestionably breeds in the sea, 

 tho' it is not entirely to be deny'd but that 

 they may sometimes breed in rivers also." He 

 says they " seek the rivers, partly to refresh 

 themselves in fresh water, and partly to rub, or 

 wash off in the strong currents, and deep water- 



