SALMON 257 



rivers the period of parhood varies. While discussing par it 

 may be as well to mention that the samlet or par never has any- 

 colour on the tip of the adipose fin, whereas both sea trout and 

 trout have an orange-red or pink tip to it, and this is an 

 infallible method of distinguishing par from other small fish. 



Scientific people also state that by the aid of the microscope 

 a fish's age may be exactly determined, as under a strong 

 magnifying power the scales of all fishes may be seen to be 

 formed in rings, just as a tree is formed, and that each ring 

 denotes a year. 



Scientists likewise assure us fish have ears ; but, for all that, 

 it is doubtful if they can hear sounds not sufficiently loud to 

 produce vibration in the water. I have often tried to move 

 kelts lying in a few feet of water both by shouting or hand- 

 clapping, but no noise produced by these methods had any 

 effect, although a foot stamp on the bank frequently caused 

 a bolt. 



There are still many believers in the theory of salmon not 

 feeding in fresh water, but equally there are numbers who hold 

 the opposite opinion. Those who favour the total abstinence 

 idea maintain the fish live on their own fat in conjunction with 

 the animalculae of the water ; they point to the invariably empty 

 stomach, and maintain a fish only rises at a fly, rushes at 

 minnow or prawn, or deliberately pouches a bunch of worms 

 out of sheer cussedness. 



The believers in the feeding doctrine direct attention to 

 the fact that many salmon enter the rivers in February and 

 March to remain a whole year before returning to the sea, and 

 the improbability — nay, almost impossibility — of such a lengthy 

 fast is strongly insisted on, for it certainly is difficult to believe 

 so large a fish could go for so long on so little. As par or as 

 smolts it is not contended they do not feed in fresh water, and 

 therefore it seems but natural they should resume the habits of 

 their youth when they return from the sea. The probabilities 

 are they are not hearty feeders in fresh water, but although 

 2 L 



