i64 ESTIVATION OF SALMON 



condition, namely (in his case), aestivation ; 

 but, from various causes, the salmon's sleep 

 is constantly interrupted. Temporary wake- 

 fulness is common to other creatures when in 

 the same state. 



It may be said that if salmon were in a tor- 

 pid state they would be unable to hold their 

 own in the strong currents they are known to 

 frequent ; but even this (though immaterial 

 to my argument) I believe possible ; for when 

 we consider the shape and weight of the fish, 

 it is obvious that the slightest motion of the 

 tail is sufficient to keep it stationary in the 

 heaviest streams. The waving motion of the 

 tail of a fish in running water is automatic 

 and never ceases. An instance in point was 

 brought to my notice on an occasion when a 

 pike had been landed. The fish was knocked 

 on the head and suspended from the branch 

 of a tree. When in this position I noticed the 

 tail rhythmically waving ; this it continued 

 to do for half an hour with exactly the same 

 motion as if the fish were alive and still in the 

 water. 



However, as a general rule, salmon lie 

 behind submerged stones and rocks, and for 

 this reason the most likely " runs " to hold 

 fish are those in which rocks and boulders are 

 strewn about on the bed of the river, and so 



