304 SALMON FISHIXG IN CANADA. 



the rock is called, checked in their career by this formidable 

 barrier. In the course of a week many thousands are here col- 

 lected, waiting, as it wovild almost appear, for a spring-tide to raise 

 the water in the pool and lower their leap. In the meantime they 

 are taken in the seine in great numbers — sold on the spot, or 

 shipped off, either pickled or in ice, to London. In the year 1808 

 I saw COO salmon taken there in one haul : two of which, weigli- 

 ing fifty-four and fifty-six pounds, were afterwards exhibited as 

 curiosities in the fish-house. 



Men, however, are not here the only fishers. Seals follow 

 the siilmon from the sea and prey upon them in the pool, pur- 

 suing them with greater speed and success than the unwieldy 

 appearance of these amphibious creatures would lead one to 

 expect. But these daring poachers, who tlms imprudently ven- 

 ture into the presence of the lords of the creation, are generally 

 shot — very often in Jiagraiite delicto, as they emerge fi'om the 

 froth at the bottom of the ilill, with salmon writhing in their 

 mouths. 



The Ballyshannon salmon leap is a scene of much curiosity 

 and interest, particularly during spring-tides, when the weather 

 is fine, and then attracts a great number of spectators. As the 

 water rises the fish begin to leap — perhaps two or three hundred 

 in an hour. The young salmon very generally miscalculate the 

 direction they should take ; leaping perpendicularly out of the 

 water, and of course falhng back immediatel)'. But the older 

 fish, many of which, no doubt, have been up before, and are 

 besides better mathematicians, manage differently. These dart 

 to the crest of the cataract in a line with the curve of the falling 

 mass, and there cling for some seconds, wriggling themselves into 

 the torrent. In this very difficult position they can only work 

 on the water Avith the pectoral and ventral fins ; the force of their 

 powerful tail, by which they had sprung from the bottom, being 

 now lost in beating the air. Many notwithstanding succeed, dip 



