THE SALMON. 



ally of a larger and more slender shape than the female, with 

 a slight difference in the shape and color of the spots. The 

 upper jaw is larger than the lower, and in the males the under 

 jaw is curved upward. Considered as a whole, he may be 

 called the most extraordinary and most beautiful fish in the 

 world ; and whether we admire him as leaping the cataract, 

 fresh floored from his native element on the green carpet of 

 the meadow, or in smoking anticipation as a viand on 

 the table, he well deserves the appellation of king of the 

 watery course, or, as Willis in his quaint way would proba- 

 bly call him, the prince ofjish-dom. 



The sport in taking him is of the most exciting kind, re- 

 quiring the utmost skill of the truly scientific Angler. Sir 

 Walter Scott says : " Salmon fishing is to all other kinds of 

 angling, as buck shooting to shooting of any meaner descrip- 

 tion. The salmon is in this particular the king of fish. It 

 requires a dexterous hand and an accurate eye to i-aise and 

 strike him ; and when this is achieved, the sport is only be- 

 gun where, even in trout angling, unless in case of an unusually 

 lively and strong fish, it is at once commenced and ended. 

 Indeed the most sprightly trout that ever was hooked, shows 

 mere child's play in comparison to a fresh run-salmon. There 

 is all the difference which exists between coursing the hare 

 and running the fox. The pleasure and suspense are of 

 twenty times the duration the address and strength required 

 infinitely greater the prize when attained, not only more 

 honorable but more valuable. The hazards of failure are also 

 an hundred-fold multiplied ; the instinct of the salmon leads 

 to the most singular efforts to escape, which must be met and 

 foiled by equal promptitude on the part of the angler " 



They love to haunt the rapid rivers or large lakes, with 

 sandy or pebbly bottoms, that run into the sea, and are usually, 

 when on the feed, found in the roughest and boldest parts. 

 They will best take the bait early in the morning or late in 



