314 PEOSE HATJEUTICS. 



ing in their glittering panoply of scales^ and sweeping 

 irresistibly onwards like an invading army apparently 

 without intermission or end, as a spectacle well worthy 

 of admiration. They have been noticed on these occa- 

 sions to swim as wild geese fly — in a wedge ; some large 

 old salmoness forming the apex of the triangle, and the 

 young males the base. When on a forced march they 

 can proceed, according to some biographers, at the rate 

 of thirty miles an hour ;* ' and being,^ as old FuUer 

 says, ' both bow and arrow, wUl shoot themselves out of 

 the water to an incredible height.' Mr. Twiss also, in 

 his Travels in Iceland, witnesses that these fish are able 

 to dart themselves nearly fourteen feet perpendicularly 

 out of the water ; he adds, that he remained for an hour 

 witnessing this feat. Mr. Scrope however doubts the 

 accuracy of aU such statements, and it would appear, 

 from his own observations, that he considers from six to 

 seven feet to come much nearer the truth. This indeed 



* Drayton's Muse describes, in rather lagging, not very happy 

 verse, the impetuous progress of these salars: — 



When as the sahnon seeks a fresher stream to find 

 (Which yearly by the sea comes hither of his mind. 

 As he in reason grows), and stems the watery tract 

 Where Tivy falling down doth make a cataract. 

 Forced by the rising rocks that there her course oppose. 

 As though within their bounds they meant her to enclose ; 

 Here, when the labouring fish doth at the foot arrive, 

 And knows that by his strength but vainly he doth strive. 

 His tail takes in his teeth ; and bending like a bow 

 That's to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw, 

 Then springing with his tail, as doth a httle wand 

 That, bended end to end, and flirted from the hand, 

 Far oS itself doth cast, so doth the salmon vaut ; 

 And if at first he fail, his second somersaut 

 He instantly assays; and from his nimble ring 

 StUl yesting, never leaves until himself he fling 

 Above the streamful top of the surrounded heap. 



