SALMO 135 



ing cataracts, where the weight and velocity ofthe 

 water was to be overcome by the instantaneous 

 exertions ofthe muscles of the tail. They have 

 been sometimes seen to make several attempts, 

 before they succeeded in ascending the fall. 



While running up rivers, they are fat and 

 delicious food, from May till the last of June ; af- 

 ter that period, having deposited their spawn, 

 they return to the sea, lean and emaciated.* 



The St Lawrence has yielded immense supplies, 

 but they are decreasing, gradually, in a ratio cor- 

 responding with the increase of population. In 

 very hot weather, they are extremely annoyed, 

 while in salt water, by an insect, burrowing in the 

 skin, called the salmon-louse. 



On old salmon they have been so numerous as 

 to kill them. The fact is well established, that sol- 

 itary salmon run up rivers, as the seine-men say, 



* Wm. Ladd, Esq. of Minot, Me. addressed the author the 

 following note. 



" Some years ago, Governor King, of Maine, showed me a 

 phial containing the roes which had been taken out of a salm- 

 on, caught at sea, late in the autumn. They were about as 

 large as peas. He informed me that a fisherman had brought 

 him the spawn to convince him that the salmon did not spawn 

 in our fresh water rivers, but followed the fishes that did, for 

 the sake of their spawn. The Governor, and all the rest ofthe 

 company, appeared to be convinced that the salmon do not 

 spawn until after they leave our rivers." 



