WE IMPROVE WITH AGE. 



373 



from the date of fructification to the birth of the fish, varies 

 from 60 to 120 days, the time required being dependent upon 

 the quality and temperature of the water, with the condition 

 of quiet and shade necessary to accelerate incubation. 



While the umbilical vesicle is attached to the tiny fish it 

 is called an " alevin" (name borrowed from the French), but 

 after its absorption it is known as a " fry," or " penk." Now 

 it sculls along and seeks its food from imperceptible particles, 

 as animalculae of the stream and the tiny fledglings falling 

 to the surface, or rising from the bottom to burst from their 

 embryotic state and take wing at the top of the stream. Like 



SALMON FRY a, the natural length. 



the young of the finest breeds of animals on land, it appears 

 more delicate and less able to contend for subsistence than 

 do those of coarser natures. In its second form it is not 

 beautiful, and few would suppose it a young salmon. Its 

 transvecee bars are plainly marked, and within three months 

 after its birth it assumes lighter shades, and carmine spots 

 begin to develop, when it becomes a parr. 



"This specimen is half the natural length, retaining its natu- 

 ral proportions. Though only between five and six inches in 

 length, the parr. from which I made this copy was taken by me 



A PARK EIGHT 'MONTHS OLD. 



on the fly and hook with which I had that morning brought 

 two goodly-sized salmon to gaff. This fact proves the real 



