PAR, OR SAMLET. 69 



in streams, which are occasionally visited by 

 salmon; yet I know no direct evidence in 

 favour of the opinion, and I should think it 

 much more probable, if it be a mixed race, 

 that it is produced by the sea trout and com- 

 mon trout. In a small river, which runs into 

 the Moy, near Ballina in Ireland, I once 

 caught in October a great number of small 

 sea trout, which were generally about half a 

 pound in weight, and were all males; and 

 unless it be supposed, that the females were 

 in the river likewise, and would not take the 

 fly, these fish, in which the spermatic system 

 was fully developed, could only have impreg- 

 nated the ova of the common river trout. 

 The sea trout and river trout are, indeed, so 

 like each other in character, that such a mix- 

 ture seems exceedingly probable ; but I know 

 no reason why such mules should always 

 continue small, except that it may be a mark 

 of imperfection. The only difference between 

 the par and common small trout is in the 

 colours, and its possessing one or two spines 

 more in the pectoral fin. The par has large 

 blue or olive bluish marks on the sides, as if 

 F 3 



