444 Reminiscences of 



respect of propagation in the necessitated element of 

 fresh water, which nature impels a seeking for at 

 the appropriate season. 



The question arises, how does the fish find its way to 

 the fresh- water stream, as instanced by those which un- 

 erringly arrive at the locality where their young lives 

 commenced. We will admit, a priori, that fishes do find 

 their way in the water. It is my opinion that fishes 

 find their way through the water by explainable 

 methods, as readily as humanity does in a forest 

 where prominent objects direct the way. 



The sense of smell or a sense analgous to that is very 

 strongly developed in fishes, especially in the Salmo 

 family, with which I have had more experience than 

 with any other. In the Salmo family and with many 

 others there is a prominent line mark extending on 

 the body from the head to the tail, which, when ex- 

 amined closely, exhibits a cellular structure apart 

 from the adjoining body. What bearing this feature 

 has upon the possessor is conjectural, but it may com- 

 prise a sense of communication which has not been 

 estimated. There are probably other senses in creation 

 which we do not know of, independent of the human 

 category of five, which have a bearing little under- 

 stood. 



In the absence of a strictly appropriate designation 

 I will define scent as the element of perceptiveness 

 which enables fishes to find their way in the water, 

 and I will present my views in support of that theory 

 from such observations as I have experienced. 



All fishermen have noted the rapid way trout have 

 in expelling the artificial fly if not hooked, and the 

 attractive way bait-fishing has of drawing trout from 



