FISHES. 



263 



always observed to precede the males, depositing their 

 ova in little pools or sort of nests, which they form in 

 the sand at the bottom, for the males to fecundate. 

 The young grow very rapidly, and at the present time, 

 the subject of the changes which they undergo in their 

 progress to maturity is one exciting much interest. 

 When first hatched they are about an inch in length, 

 and during the first year are called " Parr." When 



. 39. THE SALMON (Salmo salar). 



they remove to the sea, they receive a more brilliant 

 dress, and then become the " Smolt," varying from four 

 to six inches in length. After a residence in the sea 

 of from two months to ten weeks, they revisit the 

 fresh waters, and are then from two-and-a-half to four 

 pounds' weight, and are called 'grilses' or 'gilses.' During 

 the ensuing winter they spawn, and are then known as 

 Salmon. Salmon grow to a large size, full-grown speci- 

 mens weighing about forty pounds, though individuals 

 are mentioned which have weighed seventy or even 

 eighty pounds. Such are now excessively rare, owing 

 to the perfection of the means of capturing them at the 

 mouths of our rivers, by which the chances are very 

 greatly against any fish escaping the various dangers 

 by which it is environed for such a succession of years 

 as is likely to admit of its attaining to its full 

 dimensions. The power these fish have in overcoming 

 obstacles to their progress up large rivers at spawning 

 time is very great ; they shoot up rapids with the 



