316 SALMON FISHING IN CANADA. 



the Falls. On one visit there, in 1833, I saw a salmon leap 

 out of the water, in crossing at the ferry, and so near the boat, 

 that I could scarcely be mistaken as to the fish. The fishermen, 

 who sweep the fine beach on the Canadian side, at the mouth of 

 the Niagara, with their nets, told me that they never take any 

 salmon. 



It is remarkable that salmon will not rise at a fly, either natural 

 or artificial, in salt water ; nor is there any instance known, I 

 believe, of their being caught there with any other bait. Swim- 

 ming about in the brackish water of the estuaries of rivers, they 

 will not touch the same fly at which they may rise greedily, 

 perhaps, the next day, when they push up the fresh stream. The 

 St. Lawrence fish will not take a fly in the tide-water of their own 

 river, nor even in Lake Ontario. 



Salmon, like many other animals, are subject to the attacks 

 of parasitical enemies, which cling to their skin or infest their 

 intestines. I have repeatedly caught fish fresh from the sea with 

 the Monoculus piscinus adhering to their skin. This insect drops 

 oif after a day or two's residence in the fresh water ; but they 

 often pick up another still more troublesome companion in 

 the rivers the Lerncea Salmoneo, which clings to the gill, 

 covers, and often materially obstructs the breathing of the fish. 

 They are freed from this annoyance as soon as they return to 

 the sea. Tape worms are very often found in the stomach and 

 intestines. 



This fine fish is amongst the most cherished objects of the 

 angler's pursuit ; and successful salmon-fishing with the rod 

 and line will, probably, always rank amongst the most exciting, 

 absorbing, and delightful sports that mortals are permitted to 

 enjoy. 



A zealous angler may be allowed to eulogise his art even 

 before a Literary Society, for his amusement is one of the hand- 

 maids of science, and has already contributed not a little to 

 increase the knowledge stored up in the department of Natural 



