327 
according to circumstances in myriads along the easy water at 
the margin of the river, with their heads against the stream, 
until they reach the tide in the estuary, where, like the kelts, 
which frequently go down at the same time, they retire to the 
deepest part of the channel and disappear in the sea. These 
samlets, smoults, or smouts, are regarded by many as re- 
appearing in the estuaries a few months afterwards in the 
character of ‘grilses,’ of from three pounds to four pounds 
weight, according to the lateness of the season.” 
Sir Humpury Davy (Salmomia, 1832, page 68) considered 
par to be hybrid offspring of a salmon and a trout; also that 
“ pars are exceedingly numerous in those rivers where they are 
found, which are never separated from the sea by impassable 
falls; from which I think it is possible that they are produced 
by a cross between sea and river trout,” (page 70.) 
Sroppart (Scottish Angler, 1831) strenuously advocated the 
theory that par are the young of the salmon. 
Mr Burst (Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, 1832,) observed 
“the par is a compact fish, with firm scales, small head and 
eye, and from every appearance a fish come to maturity. The 
smolt is evidently a young tender fish, its scales come off with 
the slightest touch; its head and eyes are large, like other 
young creatures that are destined to be of a much greater size. 
But the greatest and most decided difference is this, 
that pars are found in our rivers at all seasons of the year, and 
‘smolts,’ or what we reckon salmon fry, only from March to 
about the middle of June. The difference between the fish, even 
in this respect, is almost sufficient to prove that they are not 
the same species.” 
Sir W. Jarpine* says of the Salmo salmulus, or par, ‘ the 
greatest uncertainty, however, latterly resolved itself into 
whether the par was distinct, or a variety, or young of the 
common trout, S. fario. With the migratory salmon it has no 
connection whatever. ‘“‘ In the markings they are so distinct 
as to be at once separated from the trout by any observer.” 
«‘T have no hesitation in considering the par not only distinct, 
Ons Edinburgh New Philos. Journal, 1835, page 56. 
AA 
