9 



the usual migration to the sea. A large proportion of the young salmon 

 trout which were placed in the salmon pond, assumed the smolt dress, and 

 left for sea in October, 1867 ; and in October, 1868, all that were then left, 

 departed in the same manner. Of the salmon trout retained in the 

 special pond, several put on the smolt scales in November, 1867, became 

 uneasy at their detention, and one or two which jumped out of the pond 

 died ; of these latter, one is on the table before you. In November, 1868, 

 the same restlessness under restraint was exhibited by the remaining fish 

 and many died, leaving only 12 survivors. These 12 fish, however, were 

 kept well fed, and became handsome silvery fish, weighing from half a 

 pound to more than one pound, and in June, 1869, five pairs of them con- 

 structed spawning rids and deposited ova. In September last this ova 

 hatched, and the two fish now exhibited are of the produce of such ova 

 — these two fish are seven months old, and do not in the least re- 

 semble stunted unhealthy fish ; nor could they be the progeny of 

 such. They bear about them the distinct characteristics of the 

 parr of one of the migratory salmonidaB, and when fresh from 

 the water exhibited in great perfection the brilliant orange coloured 

 fins from which the parr of Salmo trutta derives its trivial English 

 name. Bearing in mind all the above facts, I must now revert to Dr. 

 Giinther's assumption, that the fish sent to England was hatched from 

 the ova received here in 1866, and was consequently 3i years old. I have 

 shown that the last of the fish derived from those eggs, which were at 

 liberty to do so, went to sea in November, 1868 ; in June, 1869, the smallest 

 of those unnaturally detained in fresh water weighed half a pound, had 

 tinmistakeably passed the smolt stage, and had arrived at sexual maturity. 

 Yet, we are asked to believe that the fish sent to England had found its 

 way more than 30 miles from its birthplace, and had been 12 months in 

 salt water without adding one inch to its length, or one ounce to its 

 "weight. If it can be shown that it is possible, nay even probable, that our 

 original salmon trout, spawned in Tasmania in the winter of 1868, all 

 difficulty in accounting for the capture of the specimen sent to England 

 vanishes, without the necessity of having recourse to the forced and un- 

 natural assumption that such specimen was an abortion. Our first salmon 

 trout smolts went to sea in November, 1867. If any of those smolts 

 returned (as many British authorities assert they would) in February 

 following the fish that so returned must have spawned in the winter of 

 1868, that is to say in June of that year, and a portion of the fry hatched 

 in September, 1868, would have arrived in October, 1869, at the very 

 stage in which the specimen sent to England was when caught. As 

 scientific truth is, to my mind, of greater importance than the discussion 

 of mere theories, I must here point out that none of the fish retained in 

 the special pond did spawn in the winter of 1868, but it is quite possible 

 that their unnatural detention from salt water retarded their sexual 

 development for a year beyond their brethren, which were free to seek 

 their own advantage in suitable waters. In conclusion, I may state that 

 the beautiful specimen now before you, and which was caught six weeks 

 later than that sent to England, will be forwarded (with tha other speci- 

 mens referred to) to the Zoological Society, London, _ by the outgoing 

 mail, and be submitted to the examination of any scientific men taking an 

 interest in the subject. In this large specimen, I found the rudimentary 

 sexual organs well developed, and, further, by the help of the written 

 descriptions of Yarrell and Dr. Giinther, I have come to the conclusion 

 that it is a true salmo salar. 



Judge Francis, of New South Wales, offered some remarks to the effect 

 that he had had long and varied experience of fishing generally, and 

 although rather a practical sportsman than a scientific naturalist, was 

 perfectly well acquainted with the appearance and habits of the Salmonidae 



