FISH IN* ENGLAND- AND WALES. 45 



CHAP. V. 



A Description of the Fish generally angled for in 

 England and Wales ; with the proper Times and 

 Seasons to fish for thern^ their peculiar Haunts* 

 spawning Time., and moit killing Baits, fyc. 



TUE SALMON. 

 i 



THE salmon, according to the opinion of some, 

 breeds in the sea ; but that of others seems 

 better warranted, that he breeds in the clear, sandy 

 parts of rivers, not far from the mouths thereof. 

 They commonly spawn in October, and the young 

 become samlets the following year, and in a few 

 months a large salmon. They spawn in some ri- 

 vers in September, but in the Severn in May. 

 The milter and spawner having performed their 

 office, betake to the sea ; and we are told, that 

 when they have been obstructed in their passage, 

 they have grown so impatient, that, clapping their 

 tails to their mouths, with a sudden spring, they 

 have leaped clear over wears and other obstacles 

 which stood in their way, and some, by leaping 

 short, have by that means been taken. If they 

 happen to meet with such impediments that they 

 cannot get to sea, they become sick, lean, and pine 

 away, and die in two years. The principal occa- 

 sion of their dying is this : the salmon being a 

 fish by nature tender and very chill, cannot, in 

 the winter-season, endure the extreme frigidity of 



