SPENT FISH. 69 



October and the beginning of November in the 

 upper spawning grounds were ready to commence 

 their seaward journey by the middle or latter end 

 of January, I see no reason why those that have 

 spawned in the lower waters in November and 

 December should not be ready for the salt water 

 in February. The latter having a very short 

 distance to go, would find themselves in salt water 

 weeks before those which have commenced their 

 seaward journey one hundred miles and more 

 up the river a month earlier. It is well known 

 that spent fish travel down the river very slowly. A 

 succession of heavy floods accelerates their jour^- 

 ney ; but even if that were not so, if the immense 

 numbers of spent fish which have spawned in the 

 lower waters were all to remain stationary, and 

 endeavour to hold on until the army of descending 

 fish from the upper and middle waters and tribu- 

 taries had passed them, to say nothing of being 

 put about by the ascending clean fish, they 

 would undoubtedly have such an uncomfortable 



