252 THE ANGLER-NATUEALIST. 



these rivers do Salmon ever run, unless at the spawning- 

 season, and then but in small numbers. 



The rule, however, which would appear to be inferred from 

 the instances quoted is far from being invariable ; and as 

 it has been found that the time of Salmon ascending and 

 spawning frequently differs in neighbouring rivers of the 

 same district — in some cases even where their sources 

 and channels are of a precisely similar nature — it is very 

 possible that we have yet to learn the true cause of the 

 variation. 



The order in which fish ascend rivers is — allowing for 

 the variations already pointed out — generally somewhat as 

 follows : — 



First come the strong, early runners. These are suc- 

 ceeded by the Grilse, and by the small " Spring Salmon " 

 which have probably never ascended at all as Grilse, but 

 have remained in the sea since the Smolt state — a period 

 of from eight to ten months, as noticed in "Proved Facts," 

 No. 10. The scales of these spring Salmon are not easily 

 rubbed off like those of the Grilse, and their tails are not 

 so forked. A few of them generally appear with the early- 

 running fish. As the season advances, the larger fish and 

 those heavy with spawn begin to work their way upwards 

 from the mouths of the rivers and estuaries towards the 

 higher reaches ; and such fish continue ascending from the 

 sea until the close of the autumn, or, if the river be an 

 early one, of the summer. 



