276 ROD AND RIVER 



partly angular. The tail of the bull-trout becomes 

 round at an earlier period than that of the salmon, 

 which in a grilse is concave at the end, rather 

 than convex. Thus, by these characteristics, 

 either variety may be readily identified at any 

 period of its existence. In order to make use of 

 this test, it is necessary to open the gill-cover, the 

 better to see the shape of its outer edge. I think 

 that this will prove sufficiently explicit to the 

 reader to enable him to pronounce to which of 

 the three varieties a fish may belong. 



Some few remarks on the subject of salmon- 

 rivers may well find place in this portion of the 

 present work. It is absolutely necessary that 

 such rivers should be carefully attended to at all 

 times, and sedulously guarded during the spawn- 

 ing season. All this means, I am well aware, the 

 expenditure of money ; but if the owner of a 

 salmon-fishery neglects his property, he will, most 

 assuredly, subject it to damage, and he must not 

 expect any very great amount of sport. If he is 

 unable or disinclined to go to the necessary ex- 

 pense, he had better by far let it to some tenant 

 who is able and willing to take care of it. It 

 would indeed be wiser to give the fishing to such 

 a person of course, on the understanding that it 

 should be properly cared for than allow it to 

 deteriorate. A salmon-fishery may be made a 

 very valuable property indeed, it should be so. 



