OF GREAT BRITAIN. 25 



amount of energy and activity. When their 

 passage to the sea has been barred too long, 

 Parrs in this state have been known to leap some 

 distance on to the shore or barrier, and thus kill 

 themselves. 



It has been clearly demonstrated by the pro- 

 ceedings at Stormontfield that about one half the 

 young fry migrate when about a year old — almost 

 all the other half at their second year- — and the 

 few remaining at their third year ; but the period 

 of the descent is very generally the same in either 

 case, and in all rivers whether early or late, begin- 

 ning in March and continuing through April, 

 May, and the early part of June — only a few fish 

 continuing to migrate during the subsequent 

 months. The length of the Smolt when migrating 

 varies from 3^ to 7 or 8 inches, according to age 

 and other circumstances. Its full colours are, 

 dark blue or bluish green on the upper half of the 

 body and head, with black or carmine-coloured 

 spots ; gill-covers and lower half of body silvery ; 

 and all the fins much darker than those of the 

 Parr. The silver scales come off upon slight 

 pressure, and the Parr-marks are visible below. 



When ready to make their trial trip, the Smolts 

 assemble in sculls of from forty to seventy to- 

 gether, passing down the river at the rate of about 

 two miles an hour, — according to some authors, in 

 family groups. Thus resting in the slack waters, 

 and at intervals braving the rapids and strong 



