38 SALMONID.E. 



during the winter, not only keeps the young fishes which 

 occupy them in a more active condition, but the insects 

 themselves are also more abroad, and thus afford a convenient 

 supply of food not to be obtained by those at that time in 

 the river, the average temperature of which, in ordinary win- 

 ters, barely exceeds 84." 



" A specimen twelve months old, taken from pond No. 

 1, on the 10th of May, 1838, is much improved in con- 

 dition, as well as in external appearance, in comparison to 

 those taken in February, and has exchanged its dusky au- 

 tumnal and winter's coating for that which may be called its 

 summer dress.* It measures about three inches and three 

 quarters in length, and is denominated, along with those of a 

 corresponding age and size in the river, the ' May Parr." 1 

 Immediately after the migration of the two-year old Parr 

 (which the latter always effect about the beginning of May, 

 under the name of Salmon-fry), there is no other Parr, be- 

 sides such as have been recently hatched, to be found in the 

 river save those which correspond with this specimen, which 

 is the Pink of the river Hodder, alluded to by Mr. Yarrell.-f- 

 As the summer advances they increase in size, and are 

 actually the little fish which afford the angler in Salmon rivers 

 so much light amusement with the rod, during the months of 

 August, September, and October. They remain over the 



* " On the approach of autumn, the whole of the Salmonida;, resident as well 

 as migratory, while in fresh water, acquire a dusky exterior, accompanied by a 

 considerable increase of mucus or slime. The fins also become more muscular. 

 However, on the return of spring, they resume their wonted beautiful colouring, 

 and the fins, the cartilaginous portions of which are frequently damaged during 

 the winter floods, grow up and acquire their former outline. 



f- " ' Pinks in the river Hodder, in the month of April, are rather more than 

 three inches long, and are considered to be the fry of that year ; at this time 

 Smolts of six inches and a half are also taken.' " See Yarrell's Supplement to 

 British Fishes, page 6. The fry of the same year, in mild winters, are only 

 quitting the gravel in April, at which stage they measure not more than one 

 inch. T. S. 



