NA TURAL HIS TOR Y OF BRITISH SALMONID^E. 1 1 5 



paragraph 10, which, I believe, I was the first to call attention 

 to, will be found to explain many apparent anomalies and ir- 

 regularities in the habits of salmon in different rivers as observed 

 and chronicled by local fishermen and others ; and the time 

 may come when under a more minute and complex system of 

 salmon legislation it will be found to have an important bearing 

 upon the regulation of our fisheries. 



Tn tracing the history of the salmon we will begin with the 

 adult fish on their ascent from the sea, whether as salmon or 

 grilse. At varying periods during spring and summer months 

 a proportion at least of salmon in the bays and estuaries of the 

 coast make their way up the rivers for the purpose of spawning 

 their general colouring at this period being a brilliant silvery 

 white, merging into a bluish black with a few dark spots on the 

 upper part of the body and head. 



When first ascending from the sea, salmon are termed 

 ' fresh-run ' fish, and are then in the most perfect condition 

 both for the rod and the table. 



A fresh-run salmon may not only be generally known by 

 the bright silvery hue on the belly and sides, but also, when 

 just up from the sea, by a species of parasite, or sea louse, 

 which may be frequently found attached to the fish. These, 

 however, are killed by a few hours' contact with fresh water, 

 but the salmon exhibit for some time after the marks or scars 

 left by the parasite. 



The periods of ascent and spawning of salmon differ in 

 different rivers are earlier or later, that is, in point of time. 

 Streams issuing from large lakes, in which the water has pre- 

 viously undergone a sort of filtering process, and has become 

 warmer, owing to the greater mass and higher temperature of 

 its source, are often what would be described in angling par- 

 lance as ' early rivers ; ' whilst, on the contrary, streams which 

 are liable to be swollen by the melting of snows, or cold rains, 

 or which are otherwise bleak and exposed, are frequently 

 later in season, and yield their principal supply when the great 



