(ii A I-. v.] PROGRESS OF GROWTH. 1*79 



years ago and I need not go further back at present the 

 smolt was said to be the first stage of salmon-life, and the 

 abounding parr was thought to be a distinct fish. Now we 

 know better, and are able to regulate our 

 salmon -fisheries accordingly. The spawn 

 deposited by the parent fish in October, 

 November, and December, lies in the river till about April 

 or May, when it quickens into life. I have already described 

 the changes apparent in the salmon-egg from the time of 

 its fructification till the birth of the 

 fish. The infant fry are of course 

 very helpless, and are seldom seen 

 during the first week or two of their existence, when they 

 carry about with them as a provision for food a portion of 

 the egg from whence they emanated. At that time the fish 

 is about half an inch in size, and presents such a very 

 singular appearance that no person seeing it would ever be- 

 lieve that it would grow into a fine grilse or salmon. About 

 fifty days is required 

 for the animal to as- 

 sume the shape of a 

 perfect fish ; before 

 that time it might 

 be taken for anything else than a young salmon. The 

 engravings on this and the succeeding pages, which are ex- 

 actly half the size of life, show the progress of the salmon 

 during the first two years of its existence, at the end of which 

 time it is certain to have changed into a smolt. After eating 

 up its umbilical bag, which it takes a period of from twenty 

 to forty days to accomplish, the young salmon may be seen 

 about its birthplace, timid and weak, hiding about the 

 stones, and always apparently of the some colour as the 

 surroundings of its sheltering place. The transverse bars of 

 the parr very speedily become apparent, and the fish begins to 



