56 CATECHISM OF 



Q. What is the Salmo Salar ? 



A. The Salmo Salar, or common Salmon, is 

 from two and a half to three or more feet in length; 

 of a silvery grey colour, darkest on the back, and 

 marked with many irregular spots ; it is chiefly an 

 inhabitant of the northern regions, where it is 

 found, at different periods, both in salt and fresh 

 waters. 



Q. For what reason does it seek the fresh waters ? 



A. To deposit its spawn ; for this purpose the 

 salmon ascends rivers several hundred miles from 

 their mouth, force themselves against the most 

 rapid torrents, and leap, with surprising agility, 

 over cataracts of several feet in height. Numbers 

 have been seen leaping out of the water in rapid 

 succession, for this purpose, some of which suc- 

 ceeded and others failed in the attempt. 



Q. Are they caught in great numbers ? 



A. They are very abundant in some of the rivers 

 of England; and in the Tweed, a river of Scotland, 

 five hundred have been taken at one hawl of the net. 

 Q. Describe the Trutta. 



A. Salmo Trutta, or Salmon Trout, greatly re- 

 sembles the former, but is usually inferior in size ; 

 it is of a purplish or violet colour, thickly sprinkled 

 with round dark spots; its habits and the colour 

 and delicacy of its flesh are the same as those of 

 the salmon. 



Q. What is the Fario? 



