312 SALJIOX nSHIXG IN CANADA. 



In the north of Ireland, and I believe all ronnd the coast, the 

 fishermen -will immediately point out a stray fish. For, although 

 the Sdliiio Salar is the same as to generic characteristics in every 

 part of the British Islands, still there are minute variations of 

 shapje and colour betAveen the fish of diflerent rivers, only recog- 

 nisable by the keen eye of an experienced fishennan. 



Some recent experiments on one of the Duke of Sutherland's 

 Scotch estates, if the accounts in the newspapers are correct, 

 would appear to confirm the general belief as to this local instinct. 



It is stated, that in two branches of the Tay, no salmon had 

 ever been found, although these streams appeared sufliciently 

 tavourable for their habits and propagation. In 18.35, the Duke's 

 agent jilaced a pair of breeding fish in each stream. The rivers 

 -were carefully ^vatched and preserved — they bred ; and, true to 

 their instinct, the young fish in 183G ascended those waters where 

 a salmon had never licen seen before. 



Like tra^'ellers on liad reads, these fish undergo gi-eat faticues, 

 and often suffer serious injuries in forcing their way up a power- 

 ful anil rapid stream. They are driven by the cun-ent airainst 

 sliarp and imseen rocks, and Ijruised and wounded more than 

 would fie considered proliable. Tlie snout, with which they feel 

 th.eir way wlien the water is muddy, is, under these circum- 

 stances, always excoriated, and generally rubbed white. The 

 fins too, particularly the pectoral fins, and even the tail, are often 

 foiuid split ; tlie fine, liut strong membrane that l>ind3 the rays, 

 having been torn Ijy the ■\-iolent eiforts their toilsome journey 

 renders necessary. "\Ve had opportunities of seeing this every 

 summer at Dayree's bridge on tlie Jacques Cartier river, wliere 

 almost every salmon in the reservoir was thus woimded or disabled. 

 Indeed the poor fisli have extraordinary difficulties to encounter 

 in that beautiful but most rapid stream. 



I may here oljserve, that, although the distinguished epicures 

 of ancient Eome explored every known region for dainties to 



