THE SALMON FAMILY. 255 



until heavy with spawn could never penetrate. But to 

 return. 



During the early part of the season, the Salmon in the 

 rivers, which do not at once ascend, remain in or near 

 the mouths, most commonly advancing with the flood, 

 and retiring with the ebb of the tide unless captured by 

 any of the contrivances hereafter mentioned ; but as the 

 season progresses they get gradually further into the fresh 

 water beyond the influence of the sea, and at about this 

 time will be found to be becoming full of roe, and more 

 or less out of condition and unfit for food, according to 

 their forward state as breeding-fish. In fact, the edible 

 qualities of the Salmon when ascending rivers depend 

 entirely upon the state of the development of the milt or 

 roe. Even in the salt water this loss of condition follows 

 upon the maturing of the spawn ; and when fish are pre- 

 cluded from entering rivers by want of a rise in the tide, 

 or other cause, the development takes place as in the 

 stream, and the Salmon assume the reddish- coloured tints 

 distinctive of spawning-fish. 



With the approach of the spawning-time, the anxiety of 

 the Salmon to ascend increases, and they shoot up rapids 

 with the velocity of arrows, and make wonderful efforts 

 to surmount cascades and other impediments, frequently 

 clearing a height of two or three yards at a bound. It has 

 been calculated that, when swimming, or rather darting at 

 full speed, the Salmon will glide through the water at the 

 rate of about 1500 feet per minute, or 2,160,000 feet (up- 



