SALMON: A QUERY 143 



state of abeyance, food no longer assimilates ;^ 

 in lieu, the salmon subsists on its own fat and 

 high condition consequent on a rich sea diet. 

 For this economical arrangement, which pro- 

 vides against what otherwise would be a 

 time of starvation, subconscious foresight is 

 answerable." 



Not so long ago, anyone who ventured to 

 assert that salmon take no food when in fresh 

 water was immediately posed with the ques- 

 tion : " Why, if such is the case, should the 

 fish be attracted by the various baits and lures 

 presented to them by the angler ? " But of 

 this we shall see later. 



1 This does not apply so strictly to white trout ; possibly on 

 account of their smaller size their food requirements come within 

 the limits of the river's supply. 



* No ordinary salmon-river produces a tenth part of the food 

 necessary to meet the sudden invasion of a number of huge 

 predatory fish, supposing them to be dependent on it. 



