THE SALMON. 



147 



THE SALMON.* 



This, in the angler's estimation, is the king of 

 fishes, and it likewise occupies a most important 

 place in the general good opinion of society its 

 merits as a living fish in cold water being only 

 equalled by its excellence as a dead one in warm. 

 It is a species of the greatest elegance of aspect, 

 both in relation to form and colour ; but its ordi- 

 nary attributes being well-known and duly appre- 

 ciated by a discerning public, we shall not here 

 dilate upon them, but proceed to a general sketch 

 of its natural history, and a brief summary of cer- 

 tain curious experimental observations and discove- 

 ries, which have been recently made regarding its 

 earlier conditions of existence, by our ingenious 

 friend and correspondent, Mr. Shaw. 



The sea may be regarded as the genuine and 

 best abode of this fine fish ; for so soon as it has 



Salmo solar ; Linn. 



