The Salmon 



99 



taken as representing the number of rings put on by a fish each 

 year. It is rather more difficult to count the rings from the centre 

 outwards than vice versa, and for two reasons : (a) When a parr 

 becomes a smolt rings are added outside the winter mark which are 

 the same as those put on in the sea, and it is almost impossible to tell 

 with certainty the last line added when in the river. This can be 

 easily proved by confining a parr until it has reached the smolt stage. 

 The above may also explain why a greater number of lines occur 



FIG. 99. 74-lb. Small Spring Fish. 22nd February 1911. 



between the winter mark of the parr and the grilse than appear in after 

 years, (b] The lines often break up into two or three parts, and are 

 very difficult to follow. I always procure for examination scales 

 having the greatest number of small lines in the parr stage, and as 

 perfect in the centre as it is possible to get them. When I have 

 selected a perfect specimen, I count from the centre to the right in an 

 upward direction, but not quite to the top, because small lines are 

 always forming there, which would confuse one. In this way, if one 

 always counts in the same direction, one will find all the grilse, small 

 spring fish and large spring fish, have the same number of rings. The 



