88 TREATISE ON FLY-FISHING. 



exterior, as well as an increased elegance of 

 form. 



The specimens in question, so recently a parr, 

 exhibited a perfect example of the salmon fry, or 

 smolt. Mr. Shaw having thus traced the spawn 

 of the salmon up to this point, it will now be 

 necessary to pursue our inquiries until we find the 

 matured fish. The descent of these little fish 

 takes place much about the same time in all rivers, 

 commencing in March, and continuing through 

 April, and part of May. They first keep in the 

 slack water, by the side of the river ; after a time, 

 as they become stronger, they go more towards 

 the mid-stream ; and when the water is increased 

 by rain, they move gradually down the river. On 

 meeting the tide, they remain for two or three 

 days, in that part where the water becomes a little 

 brackish from the mixture of salt water, till they 

 are inured to the change, when they go off to the 

 sea all at once. There their growth is very rapid, 

 and many return to the brackish water, increased 



