446 
AMERICAN FISHES . 
at times eager enough for food, as is shown by their eager rushes at the 
angler’s fly-hook. The absenteeism of the Salmon is due principally to 
the dearth of desirable food in the rivers. The young fish stay in fresh 
water for one, or frequently, two years. When they pass down to the sea 
they weigh but a few ounces. They find congenial food and begin to grow 
rapidly. The broad world of ocean affords them new opportunities for 
adventure and self-advancement, and it is only when summoned by the 
duties of family life that they return within the narrow limits of the old 
home. When Salmon live in the lakes they prey upon minnows and other 
small fishes, but those of the sea delight also in small crustaceans and their 
eggs, to which they owe the vivid color of their flesh. The habits of 
successive generations become hereditary traits, and the differences in their 
life-histories seem to justify the claim of the Land-locked Salmon to be 
regarded as a variety of Salmo salar , though it is hardly to be disting¬ 
uished except by its lesser size and some slight peculiarities in coloration. 
It has been designated Salmo salar, variety sebagol* Although both 
originated in the same primitive stock, it is not probable that one changes 
to the other except after many generations, under the influence of forced 
changes in their environment. 
The leaping of the Salmon is one of the most marvellous of feats, and 
has been the theme of many writers. 
“ Here, when the labouring fish doth at the foot arrive, 
And knows that by his strength but vainly doth he strive, 
His tail takes in his teeth ; and bending like a bow 
That’s to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw ; 
Then springing with his tail, as doth a little wand 
That bended, end to end. and flirted from the hand, 
Far off itself doth cast; so doth the Salmon vaut. 
And if at first he fail, his second somersaut 
He instantly assays, and from his nimble ring 
Still yesting, never leaves until himself he fling 
Above the streamful top of the surrounded heap.” 
This was once the idea of the mechanism of the leap of the Salmon. 
A modern English writer thus describes the actual feat: “I watched the 
fish with a raceglass for some ten minutes before disturbing them. There 
is a very deep pool at the point where the waterfall joins the lower level 
of the water. The fish came out of this pool with the velocity of an 
*See H. H. Thompson’s essay in The American Angler, v, 296 
