56 
THE SALMON’. 
ally of a larger and more slender shape than the female, with 
a slight difference in the shape and color of the spots. The 
upper jaw is larger than the lower, and in the males the under 
jaw is curved upward. Considered as a whole, he may be 
called the most extraordinary and most beautiful fish in the 
world ; and whether we admire him as leaping the cataract, 
fresh floored from his native element on the green carpet of 
the meadow, or in smoking anticipation as a viand on 
the table, he well deserves the appellation of king of the 
watery course, or, as Willis in his quaint way would proba- 
bly call him, the prince of fish-dom. 
The sport in taking him is of the most exciting kind, re- 
quiring the utmost skill of the truly scientific Angler. Sir 
Walter Scott says : “ Salmon fishing is to all other kinds of 
angling, as buck shooting to shooting of any meaner descrip- 
tion. The salmon is in this particular the king of fish. It 
requires a dexterous hand and an accurate eye to raise and 
strike him ; and when this is achieved, the sport is only be- 
guu where, even in trout angling, unless in case of an unusually 
lively and strong fish, it is at once commenced and ended. 
Indeed the most sprightly trout that ever was hooked, shows 
mere child’s play in comparison to afresh run-salmon. There 
is all the difference which exists between coursing the hare 
and running the fox. The pleasure and suspense are of 
twenty times the duration — the address and strength required 
infinitely greater — the prize when attained, not only more 
honorable but more valuable. The hazards of failure are also 
an hundred-fold multiplied ; the instinct of the salmon leads 
to the most singular efforts to escape, which must be met and 
foiled by equal promptitude on the part of the angler ” 
They love to haunt the rapid rivers or large lakes, with 
sandy or pebbly bottoms, that run into the sea, and are usually, 
when on the feed, found in the roughest and boldest parts. 
They will best take the bait early in the morning or late in 
