ADDITIONAL NOTES. 295 



most importance about which they differ, is as to the time that 

 the young salmon remains in fresh water, before migrating to 

 the sea ; Mr. Shaw, as already mentioned, fixing the period at 

 two years — Mr. Young at one year. This is a point that needs 

 further inquiry. Comparing Mr. Shaw's results with those of 

 Mr. Young, — relying, as I think we may, on the accuracy of each. 

 — we have the assurance of the latter regarding the accuracy of 

 the former, — the conclusion seems probable, that in some rivers 

 the young salmon becomes fit to migrate, and does migrate after 

 twelve months — reckoning from the time of its birth — and in 

 others, not till double that period ; a difference, supposing it to 

 exist, depending, it may be, on season of spawning, whether 

 early or late, temperature of water, supply of food, and, perhaps, 

 peculiarity of fish, as to rate of growth. Mr. Shaw mentions a 

 few instances in which the parr assumed its migratory dress at 

 the age of twelve months, and this was in water of somewhat 

 higher temperature than ordinary. Mr. Young attributes the 

 earlier migration of the fish, he observed, to an influence, hasten- 

 ing the smolt-change, derived from proximity to the sea, but of 

 what kind he does not explain. From such information as I 

 have been able to collect, the shorter period is that observed by 

 the salmon-fry, in the rivers of Westmoreland and Cumberland, 

 generally in accordance with Mr. Yoxing's statements. Here, as 

 commonly elsewhere, the parr, or brandling season, is in summer 

 and autumn ; the smolt or smelt season in spring. In St. John's 

 Beck, a stream which flows out of Thirl mere, and is, comparatively, 

 but little variable as to temperature and height, I have never yet 

 met with a single brandling in April, and with a few only in the 

 latter part of May, nor with a single smolt during the summer, 

 autumn, and winter months. In the Duddon and Irt rivers, 

 subject to great variation of temperature and volume of water, 

 the seasons of the parr and smolt are the same as in the last- 

 mentioned river ; but in spring, amongst the smolts, a parr may 

 occasionally be taken, probably the offspring of a late, a spring- 

 breeder of the year preceding. 



It is right, however, to mention, that most of the experienced 

 fishermen on these rivers are in favour of the two years' abiding 

 of the young of the salmon in fresh water ; and the same opinion, 

 I am informed, prevails on the subject amongst the fishermen of 

 the Welsh salmon rivers ; and in proof of its correctness, it is 



