310 WHY SALMON LEAVE THE SEA. 



I fancy the reader must now be convinced that the 

 parr is the young salmon, and he also must know 

 something of the growth of this fish. I will go 

 back again to before spawning time, and trace the 

 habits of the salmon up to that time. Salmon 

 enter rivers from the sea as early as February 

 and March, for the sole purpose, it is supposed, 

 of spawning, but it must have some other object 

 in view as well, since at the earliest the spawning 

 process does not commence until September. It 

 cannot be for nourishment, because it is well 

 known that salmon lose in weight and condition 

 every day they remain in fresh water. Mr. Scrope 

 goes on to remark, " Some think it is to get rid 

 of the sea-louse ; but this supposition must be set 

 aside, when it is known that this insect adheres 

 only to some of the newly run fish, which are the 

 best in condition. I think it more probable that 

 they are driven from the coasts, near the riyer, by 

 the numerous enemies they encounter there, such 

 as porpoises and seals which alarm them in great 

 quantities. However this may be, they remain 

 in the fresh water till the spawning months com- 

 mence. On the first arrival of the spring salmon 

 from the sea, they are apt to take up their seats 

 in the rear of a scull of kelts, and at this early 

 period they are brown in the back, fat, and in 

 high condition. In the cold months they lie in 

 the deep and easy water ; and as the season ad- 



