SPA WyiNG SALMON, &'c. 83 



is more fattening in some rivers than in others. 

 Trout, for instance, are larger and in better trim in 

 rivers running through chalk and limestone than in 

 those whose beds are of a different geological 

 formation. In some rivers they never weigh more 

 than half a pound, but if they are taken thence and 

 put into a stew and fed, they grow quickly, and 

 attain a remarkable size. In the sea, as on land, it 

 is natural to suppose that there are plenty of poor 

 as well as rich feeding-grounds. Salmon thrive and 

 grow fat in rich sea pastures, just as cattle thrive 

 and grow fat on rich land. Poorly-fed salmon never 

 appear shapely and strong, and although the quality 

 of their flesh is not so much affected, the fish rarely 

 attain better proportions than a badly mended kelt. 

 Though we may fairly assume that salmon of each 

 river have their own particular feeding-grounds in 

 the sea, yet it is not possible to verify this supposi- 

 tion, as their ocean haunts have never been actually 

 discovered. Soon after the spent fish reach the 



sea, they are, in every sense of the word, too deep 



G 2 



