SALMON. 173 



of the joints; by which, contrivance additional power and 

 flexibility of the bones and muscles are provided, together with 

 a high degree of complex action in the impulse. 



When the season has been deficient in rain, and the level 

 of the water is therefore low, the difficulty in springing to the 

 higher level is so much the more increased; and this is especially 

 the case, as some considerable depth of water is required to 

 serve as a foundation for the impelling power that is to secure 

 success. It is then that the full extent of its exertion is called 

 for, as it is described in the lines we have placed at the beginning 

 of our history of this fish; and forcibly also by Ausonius in 

 the description of his favourite river: — 



Nor will I pass the glistening Salmon by, 

 With crimson flesh within, of sparkling dye : — 

 An hidden impulse first disturbs the stream 

 That silent flows; then vipward darts the gleam 

 At middle water: and Ihe bounding fish 

 Strikes with his quivering tail, in earnest wish 

 To dart aloft. 



Great has been the admiration of observers as they have 

 watched this proceeding of a morning or in the evening, which 

 are the principal seasons of exertion, while the repeated efforts 

 will sometimes last for a considerable time, in consequence of 

 repeated failure. But besides the natural obstructions here 

 referred to, there are others which owe their existence to human 

 contrivances, with the direct intention indeed of preventing the 

 further ascent of the fish, in the selfish hope of making a spoil 

 of the whole of these inhabitants of the river, without any 

 consideration of the injury to be sustained by the brood, or 

 the indignation felt by the dwellers on the banks above. 



But in many instances a different spirit has been shewn, 

 and wiser claimants of the right of fishing have provided means 

 by which the fish may pass upward without the necessity of 

 exhausting their energies in vain endeavours to leap above the 

 artificial obstruction. This is effected by hewing a path in 

 the rock, or building a sloping passage in a zigzag course, 

 termed a ladder; with resting places, by means of which these 

 active fish may find no difficulty or delay in the ascent; with 

 the advantage also that the people who live along the upper 

 portions of the river by obtaining a share of the profit, may 



