CHAPTER XIX 



THE SALMON 



Now the history of the salmon is just the 

 reverse to that of the eel. Bred in fresh water, 

 Salmo salar, notwithstanding the title, is a 

 river fish which migrates to the sea for the 

 purpose of obtaining food which the river 

 cannot produce. When descending the river 

 as a smolt (young salmon) it has no conscious 

 knowledge of the sea, but is impelled in the 

 right direction by subconscious mind, which 

 also rules the time of departure. 



Pursuing the same line of argument it may 

 be interesting to trace, speculatively, the con- 

 nection which undoubtedly exists between 

 salmon and trout, and at the same time note 

 how the subconscious force, like the reversing 

 gear of machinery, needs but the touch of the 

 " mechanic " to set the " wheels " revolving 

 in an opposite direction. 



Naturally, trout are fish of clear, swift- 

 running streams ; strong swimmers and of 

 a bold temperament, they are admirably 



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