55 



The seasons of spawning in those fishes that are considered 

 the most important for trade or the table, have been noted 

 when referring to the separate genera or species ; and the 

 place in which the pea is deposited is most usually at the 

 bottom, in situations to which the instincts of the fish lead it, 

 as best fitted to perfect the infant brood. Those which at 

 other times frequent the deeper water, or are engaged in 

 wandering through the expanse of Ocean, at this season ap- 

 proach the shores, and are thus placed within reach of the 

 fishermen : the great natural objects kept in view being, to 

 obtain the combined action of light, heat and shelter; the 

 latter implying also protection against the voracity of other 

 fishes, by which multitudes are devoured in the state of pea 

 or newly born embryo. The more casual influences of titles, 

 torrents, or other variations of currents, appear also to influ- 

 ence the choice; and the migration, a necessity for which 

 this natural duty imposes on many of the finny tribes, some- 

 times amounts to almost a change of element, for the passage 

 from salt water to fresh is scarcely less, and however essen- 

 tial to some, is destructive to the life of others, and even of 

 the same fish at different periods of its existence. The Grey 

 Mullet, Shad, Eel, Flounder, and Salmon tribe, are examples 

 of this; and the Salmon itself offers so well marked a speci- 

 men of the habit, as to demand especial attention. Its pea 

 requires to be brought -very near to the source of a fresh 

 stream, where, sheltered by its covering of sand, it may ex- 

 perience the benefit of the running water ; and in this condi- 

 tion it remains for a very long period, probably differing ac- 

 cording to the severity or mildness of the climate aaid season. 

 Mr. Yarrell, whose work contains the best account of the 

 process of developement of the pea «f the Salmon, reports 

 the time between the first shedding of the roe and the final 

 escape of the young, to be about 130 da^s ; and Mr. Hogarth 

 observes that it requires three weeks from the time of its first 

 activity, to its attaining the length of an inch, the whole of 

 the yolk not having been then absorbed into the body ; but 

 at any stage of this process, from the shedding of the pea to 

 the full perfection of the embryo, the presence of salt water is 

 fatal to its existence. During the following stages the growth 

 of the young Salmon is rapid, and by the end of April so 

 great a change has passed over it, that the element which a 

 short time before would have been destructive, is now become 

 necessary to its health and growth. 



Most sorts of fishes select spots that are exposed to the 

 action of the free and flowing water, sheltered only by some 

 neighbouring rooks or weeds, and somewhat removed from 

 the direct action of the sun ; for though this be necessarily 

 moderated by the clement through which it penetrates, 3 tt 



