136 
THE CALIFOKNIAN SALMON. 
the salmon were lively and well. A few hundreds were 
distributed up and down the river in shallows, and a few 
hundreds more, in a small creek falling into Love’s or 
Porcupine Eiver. Following down Love’s Eiver, a few 
hundred more, were liberated in a beautiful stream called 
the Trout Eiver. The creek was swarming with a native 
trout {galaxias), which is said to be peculiar to this 
stream. It is a pretty, spotted fish, growing to about six 
inches in length, and said to be of excellent flavour. 
These trout are not at all shy, and will rise to the fly, and 
afiTord good sport. I tried to get a specimen, but, having 
no proper appliances, did not succeed. I was somewhat 
alarmed at the prospects of the young salmon, amongst so 
many strange fish, and, after liberating twenty or thirty in 
a little pool, I sent the men up the stream to distribute 
the rest of the lot, and sat down to watch how they would 
get on in their new home. On being turned out, the parrs 
at once turned up-stream bravely, and swam about, 
examining curiously what must have seemed very new to 
them. There were about a dozen native trout about three 
inches long in the little pool, and the young salmon showed 
their high breeding, in entering the society of these strangers 
in the most self-possessed manner. The trout, on seeing 
the strangers come near, darted away as if startled, but 
after a little they returned, and finding the salmon coming 
beside them again, one turned and darted at an intruder, 
who soon showed that he was thoroughbred as far as speed 
was concerned, by quickly getting away out of danger, and 
I came to the conclusion that the young salmon would 
soon be able to take care of themselves. 
‘‘ After a few hours of very heavy work, through a dense 
scrub of mimosa, melaleuca, and ferns, underneath the tall 
stems of the forest gums, we reached the bank of the 
Grellibrand Eiver about ten o’clock, and liberated the 
