GRILSE. 91 



years I fished the Lyngdal, which flows in the 

 southern part of that country, grilse made their 

 appearance only in two of them. On reference 

 to my log-book, I find that no grilse were caught 

 by either nets or rods during the other three 

 vears, although there was nothino: that I know of 

 to prevent them running up as usual. Salmon 

 spawn in all these rivers just mentioned, and 

 smolts go to sea at the usual time, year after year. 

 But what becomes of them? It is certain that 

 only a very small percentage return as grilse to the 

 waters in which they were bred ; still they exist 

 somewhere, or the salmon in those rivers would 

 soon be altogether extinct. We know that vast 

 numbers of parr (irrespective of fish of that name 

 of a similar size and appearance, said to be a distinct 

 species) remain behind in fresh water, after others 

 of the same age have donned their silvery dress 

 and gene to sea. It is not, therefore, surprising that 

 a certain proportion of grilse, as well as adult fish, 

 cease, for some portion of their sojourn in the sea. 



