CHAP, v.] PARR IN SALT WATER. 195 



the smolt scales, it shows no inclination to leave the fresh 

 water. It cannot live in salt water. This fact was put to the 

 test at the ponds, by placing some parrs in salt water the 

 water being brought fresh from the sea at Carnoustie ; and 

 immediately on being immersed in it the fish appeared 

 distressed, the fins standing stiff out, the parr-marks becoming 

 a brilliant ultramarine colour, and the belly and sides of a 

 bright orange. The water was often renewed, but they all 

 died, the last that died living nearly five hours. After being 

 an hour in the salt water, they appeared very weak and unable 

 to rise from the bottom of the vessel which contained them, 

 the body of the fish swelling to a considerable extent. This 

 change of colour in the fish could not be attributed to the 

 colour of the vessel which held them, for on being taken out 

 they still retained the same brilliant colours." 



All controversies relating to the growth of salmon may 

 now be held as settled. It has been proved that the parr is 

 the young of the salmon ; the various changes which it under- 

 goes during its growth have been ascertained, and the increase 

 of bulk and weight which accrues in a given period is now 

 well understood. But we still require much information as to 

 the " habits " of fish of the salmon kind. 



In a recent conversation with Mr. Marshall of Stormontfield, 

 while comparing notes on some of the disputed points of 

 salmon growth, we both came to the conclusion that the 

 following dates, founded on the experiments conducted at 

 Stormontfield, might be taken as marking the chief stages in 

 the life of a salmon. An egg deposited in the breeding-boxes 

 say in December 1852 yielded a fish in April 1853 ; that fish 

 remained as a parr till a little later than the same period of 

 1854, when, being seized with its migratory instinct, and having 

 upon it the protecting scales of the smolt, it departed from the 

 pond into the river Tay on its way to the sea, having previously 

 had conferred upon it a certain mark by which it could be 



