8o THE SEA-TROUT 



have been deposited on November 15 ; and we may tabulate the various 

 stages of development of the little fish up to the fry stage thus : — 



Ova deposited (say) ... ... ... November 15 



Ova eyed, 30 days ... ... ... December 15 



Alevin hatched, 60 days ... ... February 15 



Perfect fry, 50 days ... ... ... April 5 



Altogether 140 days, or nearly five months, have elapsed since the 

 shedding of the ova. It is a fact, worthy I think of special observation, 

 that nature has arranged that the little fish have become best able to 

 fend for themselves just at the time when the stream in which they were 

 hatched is likely to afford a sufficiency of food for their subsistence 



