Animal life in the sea and on the land . Fier. 132.—A Fishing Fleet. 4. The Migration of Salmon.—The migrations of salmonare especially interesting. These fishes, although hatchedin fresh water, pass the greater part of their lives in theocean, and at certain seasons they ascend the rivers inlarge companies to deposit their eggs. It is believed thatthey return year after year to the same locality ; so the THE MIGRATION OF FISHES. 207 baby salmon are raised in the old home of their parents,who, nevertheless, have become in the mean time greatrovers. 5. Efforts to reach the Source of the River.—
Animal life in the sea and on the land . Fier. 132.—A Fishing Fleet. 4. The Migration of Salmon.—The migrations of salmonare especially interesting. These fishes, although hatchedin fresh water, pass the greater part of their lives in theocean, and at certain seasons they ascend the rivers inlarge companies to deposit their eggs. It is believed thatthey return year after year to the same locality ; so the THE MIGRATION OF FISHES. 207 baby salmon are raised in the old home of their parents,who, nevertheless, have become in the mean time greatrovers. 5. Efforts to reach the Source of the River.—Young-salm-on cannot live in salt water, consequently the eggs mustbe placed where there is little danger of the young fishesdrifting out to sea, and upon these journeys the impulseof the parents is so strong to reach the source of the riv-er that they seem determined to overcome all Fig. 133.—Male Salmon. They even leap the water-falls, and in doing this theydisplay great perseverance. In leaping they throw thebody into a curve, resting on the head and tail; they thenmake a sudden spring, which is greatly aided by the pres-sure of the tail upon the water. The first attempt is of-ten unsuccessful, and they fall, perhaps, upon the rocks orupon the bank of the river ; not discouraged by the fail-ure, they struggle back to the water and try again. 6. It is now customary to place fish-stairs where thereis a water-fall or a dam too high for the salmon to consist of a series of steps made of wood or stone,which divide the height into a succession of small salmon soon learn to leap from one step to another,and in this way they reach the top without difficulty. 7. Spawning.—Salmon, it is said, have a leader on thesejourneys, and follow him in regular order. Having ar- 208 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE SEA AND ON THE LAND. n
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1887
