54 
THE SALMON. 
Like the trout, they are very timid; and if, at the time of 
their advent, they are suddenly frightened by any noiso, or 
splasliing of the water, will turn and swim in a contrary direc- 
tion at a surprising rate of velocity. It has been ascertained 
by calculation, that they can move at the rate of 30 miles an 
hour. They run up the rivers from the sea, to deposit their 
spawn, from April to July, and arc at this time in fine condi- 
tion for the table ; after which they return again to the sea. 
They are much troubled with what fishermen call the salmon- 
louse, and are known in some instances to return to the fresh 
water in the months of September and October, to rid them- 
selves of these annoying insects. Smith says : “ The young 
are about two inches in length when they visit the sea for tho 
first time. After the parent fish have passed up the rivers, 
the spring following, the young ones follow at a respectable 
distance, having grown about six inches. At the end of two 
years, they weigh five, six, and seven pounds; at the end of 
six years, they have attained their ordinary dimensions.” 
An English writer, called the 11 North Country Angler,” 
says: “ The roe of the salmon becomes salmon fry in March 
and April, and they very soon find their way to the sea, where 
they grow with amazing rapidity ; as on their return to their 
native streams in June or July of the same year, they weigh 
six or seven pounds. They are usually called grilse until they 
weigh about nine pounds, after which they are called 
salmon/’ 
The following account of late experiments on salmon in 
Scotland, taken from tho “ Kelso Mail,” a Scotch paper, 
rather contradicts the opinions of former writers on the rapid 
increase in size of this species of fish. “ In the month of 
April, 1843, Mr. James ICeras, a gaine-keeper at Bowhill, 
Selkirkshire, took from tho Ettriek, and marked from six to 
seven dozen of the salmon fry going down to the sea, by in- 
serting a piece of wire through the tail of each, and twisting 
