. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE TROUT. 489 is it even checked by falls. These it surmounts by springing out of the water, fairly passing over the fall. Heights of fourteen or fifteen feet are constantly leaped by this powerful fish, and when it has arrived at the higher and shallower parts of the river, it scoops furrows in the gravelly bottom, and there deposits its spawn. The young, called " fry," are hatched about March, and immediately commence their retreat to the sea. By the end of May the young Salmon, now called " smelts," have almost entirely deserted
. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE TROUT. 489 is it even checked by falls. These it surmounts by springing out of the water, fairly passing over the fall. Heights of fourteen or fifteen feet are constantly leaped by this powerful fish, and when it has arrived at the higher and shallower parts of the river, it scoops furrows in the gravelly bottom, and there deposits its spawn. The young, called " fry," are hatched about March, and immediately commence their retreat to the sea. By the end of May the young Salmon, now called " smelts," have almost entirely deserted the rivers, and in June not one is to be found in fresh water. Small Salmon, weighing less than two pounds, are termed " salmon peel," all above that weight are called " ; The havoc wrought among Salmon by foes of every description is so enormous, that notwithstanding the great fecundity of the fish, it is a matter of surprise that so many escape destruction ; for although the fish are preserved from their human foes by many stringent regulations, yet other foes, such as otters, who devour the large fish, and other fish who devour the spawn, have but little respect for laws and regulations. While in the rivers, multitudes of Salmon are annually caught, usually by stake nets, which are capable of confining an immense number of fish at one time. Salmon-spearing is a favourite amusement. This animated and exciting sport is usually carried on by torch-light. The torches, when held close to the surface of the water, illumine the depths of the river, and render every fish within its influence perfectly visible.' The watchful spearman, guided by slight indications bearing no meaning to an unpractised eye, darts his unerring spear, and brings up in triumph the glittering captive, writhing in vain among the barbed points. In the northern rivers this destructive pursuit is carried on to a great extent, more than a hundred salmon being frequently taken in an eve
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
