PRACTICAL ESSAY. 203 



to be somewhat in fashion among the old race of anglers ; the gum 

 obtained from ivy by making an incision in the stem, was a favourite 

 for this purpose. Nearly all fishermen are now of the opinion that 

 such inducements are valueless, however. 



PRACTICAL ESSAY. 



THE SALMON. 



It is difficult with the space at command to give a comprehensive 

 account of this noble fish and its wonderful life-history. The ap- 

 pearance of the fish is well known to all. Its habits have been the 

 study of angler-naturalists for years, and although much is now 

 positively known concerning it, yet there is undoubtedly much to 

 be learned. Mr. Pennell, in his delightful book, "The Angler- 

 Naturalist," enumerates " proved facts in the history of the salmon," 

 which he will, doubtless, permit me to quote. 



" i. Salmon and grilse invariably spawn in fresh water if possible, 

 both the eggs and the young fry, whilst in the parr state, being 

 destroyed by contact with salt water. 



" 2. The eggs are usually deposited on gravelly shallows [the fish 

 make shallow trenches in which the spawn is deposited, and then 

 lightly covered over with gravel. ED.] where they hatch in from 

 eighty to one hundred and forty days, according to the temperature 

 of the water. Eggs remaining unhatched beyond the latter period 

 will seldom hatch at all, possibly from having been destroyed by the 

 low temperature. 



" 3. The eggs deposited by the female will not hatch under any 

 circumstances unless vivified after exclusion by the milt of the male; 

 and, at least up to the period of migration, there is no difference 



