158 



ANGLING. 



33), did not produce visible young until the 90th 

 day, and 131 days elapsed before their final hatch- 

 ing. We shall return to the young in a few 

 minutes, but must in the meantime look after the 

 old fish, which, at this period, are often improvi- 

 dently struck through with the leister in shallow 

 waters ; and one of which, in a certain ^Esopian 

 dialogue with a plaided poacher, who is supposed 

 to have asked the transfixed salmon how he felt 

 himself, replied with great and rather ready com- 

 posure, " nane the better o' your spearin '." 



After the important process of spawning has 

 been accomplished, both sexes are reduced to a 

 state of remarkable emaciation. But ere long the 

 lengthened snout, hooked jaws, and ruddy hues 

 are modified or changed, the old scales are cast 

 the silvery coating begins to shew itself and the 

 fish retire for a time to some quiet pool to regain 

 their strength, and nourish their new attire. They 

 finally re-descend to the sea by easy stages, where 

 their former condition and brilliant lustre are soon 

 restored their strength invigorated and all their 

 functions so repaired and completed, as to enable 

 them, ere long, to renew their visit to the flowing 

 streams, again to multiply their race. 



So much for the old people. Let us now enquire 

 a little after the children, whom we left a few pages 

 back, wriggling their way into life, through nearly 

 a foot of supercumbent gravel. 



If the reader is sleeping or inclined to sleep, 

 if, his chin upon his chest, he has allowed our 

 work to fall upon the fender, he may let it lie if 



