314 SALMON FISHING IN CANADA. 



as I am capable of judging, they appear the same fish. The shape, 

 colour, habits, conformation of the branchiae, number and posi- 

 tion of the fins and of their rays, form of the tail, and number of 

 the vertebras (61) are, I believe, generically the same. The flavour, 

 too, of the American fish, caught unfatigued and fresh from 'the 

 sea, under equal advantages of cookery and appetite, is not in- 

 ferior to that of his European brother. 



About the middle of May the salmon begin to run up the St. 

 Lawrence, but not in any considerable numbers, till the middle 

 of June. They coast along on both sides, on the look-out for 

 their respective rivers, I presume ; but ascend along the north- 

 ern shore for the greater part, where the tributary streams are 

 clearer and more rapid, and pour in cooler water than those in 

 the south. They advance, I believe, with each tide, gradually 

 feeling their way, and running up the small rivers as floods or 

 other favourable circumstances invite them. Great numbers are 

 caught in the stake nets, or in wooden traps, with which both 

 shores are now thickly studded. The smaller branches of the 

 St. Lawrence absorb a large proportion. Many thousands, no 

 doubt, ascend the Ottawa, to breed amidst its remote streams un- 

 molested by man. Still, a large body push up the main river, 

 all the way to Lake Ontario. Arrived there, they move towards 

 the head of the lake, keeping close to both shores, but preferring 

 still the northern or Canadian side, in all probability for the 

 reason mentioned before. They are very rarely found at Kings- 

 ton, but are often speared along the shores of the Bay of Quinte*, 

 and at the mouth of the rapid river Trent. They are caught in 

 considerable numbers every year about Toronto, and in the 

 streams that run into the north-western extremity of Lake On- 

 tario, still in tolerable condition, notwithstanding the distance 

 from the sea and the difficulties of the journey. The flesh is a 

 little softer than that of our Quebec fish the colour a fainter 

 pink, and the flavour not quite so rich ; but enough of its good 



