26 SALMON FISHINQ IN CANADA. 



coldest spring water run sparkling from the bank. On 

 one side of the most rapid part, huge cedars growing out 

 from the fissures of the rocks fling their grotesque arms 

 far across the stream. Nor are floral ornaments wanting 

 in this scene of sylvan wildness and beauty ; wild flowers 

 are found in great variety and profusion. 



The river is a succession of rapids and pools from the 

 St. Lawrence to the fishing ground, which is a distance of 

 nearly nine miles; the fish have consequently a rough 

 journey and are often severely hurt in their toilsome 

 voyage ; but when they reach the lower end of the gorge 

 cut in the rock by the force of the water below the bridge, 

 their troubles are only beginning, for there they meet a 

 torrent of such magnitude and power as no fish can 

 possibly surmount unless when the water is low. 



Until within a few months, the poor salmon like the 

 hapless flying fish which escapes the albatross and gull only 

 to fall into the mouths of the bonito and albacore when 

 they had evaded the tempting snares of the angler, sur- 

 mounted the lower rapids, and worked themselves with 

 immense labour through the terrible torrent in the chasm 

 to the very top, there they found an absolute cataract to 

 leap up, worse than all that was past. But this was not 

 all. Here there is a circular and lateral recess at the 

 bottom, worn into the rock by an eddy, and forming a 

 small, and comparatively quiet spot : in this boiling and 

 raging torrent, where they are forced to stop for breath 



