312 SALMON FISHING IN CANADA. 



In the north of Ireland, and I believe all round the coast, the 

 fishermen will immediately point out a stray fish. For, although 

 the Salmo Salar is the same as to generic characteristics in every 

 part of the British Islands, still there are minute variations of 

 shape and colour between the fish of different rivers, only recog- 

 nisable by the keen eye of an experienced fisherman. 



Some recent experiments on one of the Duke of Sutherland's 

 Scotch estates, if the accounts in the newspapers are correct, 

 would appear to confirm the general belief as to this local instinct. 



It is stated, that in two branches of the Tay, no salmon had 

 ever been found, although these streams appeared sufficiently 

 favourable for their habits and propagation. In 1835, the Duke's 

 agent placed a pair of breeding fish in each stream. The rivers 

 were carefully watched and preserved they bred ; and, true to 

 their instinct, the young fish in 1836 ascended those waters where 

 a salmon had never been seen before. 



Like travellers on bad roads, these -fish undergo great fatigues, 

 and often suffer serious injuries in forcing their way up a power- 

 ful and rapid stream. They are driven by the current against 

 sharp and unseen rocks, and bruised and wounded more than 

 would be considered probable. The snout, with which they feel 

 their way when the water is muddy, is, under these circum- 

 stances, always excoriated, and generally rubbed white. The 

 fins too, particularly the pectoral fins, and even the tail, are often 

 found split ; the fine, but strong membrane that binds the rays, 

 having been torn by the violent efforts their toilsome journey 

 renders necessary. We had opportunities of seeing this every 

 summer at Dayree's bridge on the Jacques Cartier River, where 

 almost every salmon in the reservoir was thus wounded or disabled. 

 Indeed the poor fish have extraordinary difficulties to encounter 

 in that beautiful but most rapid stream. 



I may here observe, that, although the distinguished epicures 

 of ancient Rome explored every known region for dainties to 



