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, heal and shelter ; the 
latter implying also protection against the voracity ot other 
fishes, by which multitudes are devoured in the slate of pea 
or newly born embryo. The more casual influences of tides, 
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 
tile 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 i's 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 and season. 
Mr. Yarrell, whose work contains the best account of the 
process of developetnent of the pea of the Salmon, reports 
tbe lime between the first shedding of the roe and the final 
escape of the young, to be about 130 days ; and Mr. Hogarth 
observes that it requires three weeks from the time ot its first 
activity, to its attaining the length of an inch, the whole of 
tbe yolk not having been then absorbed into the body ; but 
any stage of this process, from the shedding of the pea to 
l be full perfection of the embryo, tbe presence of salt water is 
latal to its existence. During tbe following stages tbe growth 
°f the young Salmon is rapid, and by llie end ot April so 
8 r eat a change has passed over it, that the element which a 
s b°rt 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 rocks or weeds, and somew hat remoied fioin 
*-bc direct action of tbe sun ; lor though this be necessarily 
moderated by the clement till ough which it penetrates, yet 
