6 THE SALMON 



that grows upon the male salmon at this period is 

 used for making the redd. Its position on the lower 

 jaw of the fish with its immovable neck would render 

 such a use impossible. It is more probable that, as 

 has also been suggested, it is provided as an offensive 

 weapon for fighting like the horns of the stag. The 

 eggs are ' hidden most cunningly and covered with 

 gravel ' to some feet in depth and the young fish is 

 born after a period varying from 80 to 114 days, or 

 even longer, according to the temperature of the 

 water. 



The young fish of course in its early stage of exist- 

 ence is a parr, and not, as Walton says, a samlet or 

 smolt. This was really settled decisively as long 

 ago, at any rate, as 1824 by the experiments detailed 

 by Scrope in his ' Days and Nights of Salmon Fishing." 

 It is as well to be on sound ground for once, and I 

 hardly think this point can be contested by any 

 naturalist or sportsman of ordinary observation 

 and candour ; but even recently I have heard it 

 questioned or denied. This, however, only proves 

 the vitality of error : there are still people who per- 

 sist in believing the Claimant to be Sir Roger Tich- 

 borne, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the con- 

 trary and his own confession, and I have known 

 keepers who would go to the stake for the faith that 



