OF THE SEA-TROUT OF THE SOL WAY. 



species of this family, but its progressive growth, the lapse of time considered, has 

 been extremely small. 



No. 3 shews the state of the young sea-trout when four months old, taken in 

 May. It measures about 2 inches in length, and by its considerably enlarged 

 size, and improved condition, exhibits the effects of an increase of food and tem- 

 perature. 



No. 4 is a specimen of young sea-trout 6 months old, taken in July. It 

 measures 2^ inches in length, and exhibits a corresponding progressive improve- 

 ment in size and condition. 



No. 5 is a specimen months old, taken in October. It measures about 

 3 inches in length, and also exhibits an improved aspect. 



No. 6 is the same species when 12 months old, taken in January 1841. It 

 measures about 3| inches in length, and presents an example of the average size, 

 and somewhat defective condition, of the brood during the winter months. 



No. 7 is a specimen of young sea-trout 21 months old, taken in October 1841. 

 It measures about 6 inches in length, and has now lost all the lateral bars or 

 transverse markings which are so characteristic of the younger stages of the Bri- 

 tish Salmonidae. It forms one of the most interesting specimens of the series ex- 

 hibited. It bears a very marked resemblance to some of the varieties of the com- 

 mon river- trout, and it has also now attained that age (from 18 to 20 months) at 

 which it appears that the whole of the males of the migratory species of our Sal- 

 monidae are capable of procreation, none of the females, however, of a corre- 

 sponding age, in any of my broods, having ever been observed to mature their roes. 

 But, from the experiments which I have repeatedly made with the milt from the 

 young males of other broods of this age (18 months or upwards), I find them quite 

 capable of reproducing their kind with the adult females. 



No. 8 is a specimen of the young sea-trout upwards of 2 years old, taken in 

 May. It measures about 7 inches in length, and has now, along with three- 

 fourths of the brood, assumed the migratory dress. As the young of this species, 

 in the migratory state, are not unfrequently mistaken by ordinary observers for 

 that of the real salmon, it may be proper here to endeavour to give some general 

 description of the colour and markings which they exhibit when first taken from 

 the ponds. The whole brood, at the age of 2 years, average about 7 inches in 

 length, and are of a dark brown on the back, passing gradually into a white silvery 

 appearance on the sides and belly ; the pectoral fins are white, with one-third 

 part (the extremities) orange ; the ventral fins are pure white ; the anal fin is 

 also white, with a faint marking of dusky on each side ; the dorsal fin is of a 

 lightish brown, inclining to black at the extreme points of the anterior rays, which 

 are tipped with a very little white ; the posterior portion of the rays of the same 

 fin have a faint tint of orange, and the whole fin is very much spotted ; the adi- 



