SALMON. 
167 
where the rivers are large, and in summer full of water from 
the moisture of the climate, without any mineral impregnation, 
the chief season is from eaidy in the year to the end of summer ; 
although, as already remarked, even this varies in rivers not 
very distant from each other. It is at this time that the fishing 
in the north is in its greatest activity, as well for sport as 
profit, while in the Severn the season of excellency is the 
opposite of this; and in Cornwall, with a large part of Devon- 
shire, the fish are altogether absent until sometime about the 
middle of August, but more commonly late in September; and 
it is only from October to December that the fishermen can 
follow their occupation with the prospect of profit; the conse- 
quence of this variation, therefore, is that in some districts the 
Salmon is in an acceptable condition for the table at a time 
when in others they cannot be obtained, or are not fit to be 
eaten. With the protection of the law as it now stands, this 
fish cannot fail to increase in number in some rivers, especially 
in the west of England; but as this abundance can only take 
place in what is termed the fence time, it can only be for the 
benefit of those who set the law at defiance, and to this therefore 
there appears an almost irresistible temptation. 
It cannot be alone in obedience to sexual instinct that this 
fish is urged to seek the fresh water; for a large portion of 
them in the more frequented districts are knowm to leave the 
ocean many months before an enlargement of the roe can be 
discerned; and not less than nine or ten months before the 
time when they are expected to deposit it; and we shall have 
occasion also to sheAV how probable it is that there exists a 
difiPerent influence, which exerts a powerful impulse on the 
motions of these emigrants. This entrance into fr'esh water of 
a portion of these fish, and a portion only, and these in long 
succession, -will begin to take place soon after the beginning of 
the year, and even at a time when there ai'e breeding fish still 
engaged in the duty of shedding their spawn; and therefore 
considerably before the time when a large portion of these latter 
have returned to the sea; which they lose no long time in doing 
— the females before the males — when exhausted by that natural 
proceeding. 
When drawing near the land they form themselves into 
companies, which sometimes include large numbers; but these 
