SAMLET, OR PARR. 249 



retaining their lateral markings, and instead of being silvery- 

 are yellowish in colour, like the Trout; hence it follows that 

 this is a distinct fish from the Salmon. In this case an 

 opinion opposed to that of Mr. Shaw would seem to be a 

 necessary consequence." 



Observations to the same purpose are contained in the work 

 of Dr. Knox, already referred to, but they are too copious 

 for our pages. We prefer, therefore, to give a single para- 

 graph, (p. 87,) which shews, indeed, as we are ready to 

 acknowledge, that the natural history of the true Parr or 

 Samlet is not well understood, but which appears decisive of 

 the fact that it is not the same with the Salmon in any 

 stage of its growth. "Examine, as I have done, hundreds 

 and hundreds of the true Salmon Smolt, while descending the 

 rivers, sparkling with their silvery scales, and obviously 'Salmon 

 in miniature,' towards the ocean; and the roe and milt will 

 constantly be found at their minimum, that is, mere threads. 

 And yet, after all these have left the river for the ocean, we 

 almost immediately find the Parr with the milt or male 

 organs in the highest state of development. If these were 

 smolts not yet sufficiently grown, how comes it that their 

 brothers of a year older growth, as is said, have left the 

 river with the milt at its minimum, leaving behind them 

 their younger brothers with the same organ at its maximum?" 



That the Samlet is indeed to be found in some rivers in 

 every month of the year admits of no doubt; and from a 

 desire to investigate the subject still further, in the first week 

 of January I procured from the Lerryn branch of the Fowey 

 River a basket of the Salmonidce, of which the Samlets and 

 Trouts were in about equal numbers. The Trouts were in 

 good condition, but none of them displayed any development 

 of the roe or milt; and such also was the case with those 

 Samlets which were less than five inches in length, of which 

 there were several. But in those Samlets which measured 

 more than this, or about six inches, the milts in the males 

 were large enough to fill the cavity, and it is remarkable that 

 of this I found in each only a single lobe. If this should on 

 further search be found a character of the species, there would 

 be no further doubt of their being distinct, for in the Salmon 

 these organs are in two lobes; but I hesitate in expressing 

 VOL. IV. 2 K 



