245 
_ limestone formation, which means a diminished food supply, 
give eggs much smaller than those of more highly-favoured 
localities, while it has been conclusively proved at Howietoun 
that their size increases with the age of the parent, so long as 
their fertility is unchecked ; while in every fish about five per 
ent. of the eggs are below the average size; also that the 
thickness of the shell (zona radiata) of the egg increases with 
_ the increased age of the mother. It has been proved at Howie- 
toun that larger eggs give quicker-growing offspring ; con- 
sequently, those who wish to obtain the finest forms should 
obtain them from where care and attention are paid to the 
segregation of the parents. At Howietoun the old trout give 
eggs the same size as do the grilse. 
_ The last subject entered upon was, “What is a Par?” 
This is a question on which learned divines, lawyers, doctors, 
naturalists, magistrates, and poachers, have all differed, and 
which difference has caused the arousal of a vast amount of ill 
blood, and all because no one would take the trouble to hatch 
out a few salmon eggs, and trace the various phases through 
which the fish passes. It was not until Mr Saw did this 
that science became satisfied, but even then some individuals, 
History and even in law books. Also how at Howietoun, in 1880, 
eges of salmon were obtained and hatched in the establishment, 
and in 1884 eggs and milt were taken from fish so reared, which 
had never gone to the sea, and now over 2,500 young fish have 
emerged from those eggs. Mr Day also exhibited under the 
microscope scales of the par, smolt or grilse, and of the salmon, 
showing that the scale of the par is not so broad as are those of 
its older relatives. He also showed the micropyle of the eggs 
of the salmon and trout, the first having depressions around 
the orifice, but not so the trout in any of its varieties. 
_ This terminates the records of our proceedings during the 
yast season, which, I venture to say, compares favourably with 
its predecessors, and manifests no falling off in the energy and 
activity of the Cotteswold Club. 
i‘ 
