4 THE Bit IFF I ELD A 



Smelts, leave those rivers as before mention- 

 ed, and all other rivers in May and June. 



Salmon choose the rivers for their abode 

 about seven months in the year ; they gene- 

 rally begin to enter the fresh water in Janu- 

 ary, and sometimes even in December, and 

 abound in February and March ; where they 

 continue till the autumnal season, at which 

 time they cast their spawn, and soon after re- 

 turn to the sea. But directly the contrary is 

 reported of the river Ex in Devonshire, and 

 the Wye and Uske in Monmouthshire, where 

 it is said they are in season during the other 

 six months ; and what is more remarkable, 

 (if true) they never frequent the Wye and 

 Uske in the same year ; for when the fish are 

 found in one of those rivers they are wanted 

 in the other, which is probably the case in 

 other parts of the kingdom ; however this may 

 be, it is certain that the salt water wonderfully 

 promotes their growth, and the fresh chiefly 

 contributes to make them fat. 



