27^ THE FALLS OF BALLYSHANNON. 



if a whole shoal consulted together, and 

 having agreed upon the fittest moment, ad- 

 vanced to the leap by word of command, a 

 dozen or so being in the air at the same 

 time. Of these, the fish that failed by far 

 exceeded in number those that achieved their 

 object ; but, nothing daunted with their fall, 

 the beaten fish would again collect their 

 comrades around them, and again advance 

 to the leap. 



It is indeed supposed that the salmon, on 

 leaving the coast and putting to sea, form 

 themselves into regular fleets, under the 

 command of some old and experienced fish, 

 who acts as their admiral ; that they con- 

 tinue together during their cruise, trust to 

 the guidance of their leader for again making 

 their port, and separate only on arriving at 

 their respective breeding -grounds. These 

 squadrons of salmon are technically termed 

 schools, and their master - fish the school- 

 master. A man who catches a fish weigh- 

 ing over twenty-four pounds is said to have 

 landed a schoolmaster. 



The foot of these falls is a very good throw 

 for trout, hundreds of them being from time 

 to time swept away by the floods and preci- 



