72 SALMONIDiE. 



Salmon Peel, in excellent condition, silvery bright in colour, 

 measuring fourteen inclies in length, and weighing fourteen 

 ounces ; one was cooked and eaten, the flesh pink in colour, 

 but not so red as those of the river, well-flavoured, and like 

 that of a Peel. 



In the month of July, 1838, eleven months after, another 

 small Salmon was caught, equal to the first in condition and 

 colour, about two inches longer, and three ounces heavier. No 

 doubt Avas entertained that these were two of the Pinks trans- 

 ferred to the lake in the spring of 1836, the first of which had 

 been retained sixteen months, and the latter twenty-seven 

 months, in fresh water. 



Farther than this, it was found that, in the river Hodder, the 

 Pinks in April are rather more than three inches long, and that 

 at the same time Smalts of six and a half are also taken, with 

 the colours altered as above, and ready to migrate. In July, 

 the Pink measures five inches, and the Smalts have then left 

 the river. 



Dr. Knox seems to have erred merely in supposing that the 

 Pinks, the size of the little finger, were from the ova hatched in 

 April, when they were probably from an earlier hatching of fish, 

 which spawned at a more remote date. 



It seems, however, to be clearly and certainly established by 

 these experiments, that the Smalt, or Laspring, as they are 

 sometimes called, which descend the rivers every spring toward 

 the middle of May, are a whole year older than the Pinks, 

 which are taken in the same waters, at the same time, and by 

 the same fly. 



With regard to the later growth of the Salmon, I am not of 



