TRANSITION OF THE SMOLT INTO THE GRILSE. 211 



shortly after captured, in the shape of grilses or salmon. 

 I have seen, from time to time, the results of these 

 experiments detailed in different local papers and else- 

 where; one account bearing, that a grilse having such a 

 scar or appendage was caught at this or that fishery, 

 that the fish in question was one of a number of smolts 

 marked that spring, by so-and-so ; another relating the 

 same circumstance, with this difference, that the fry 

 was marked on the preceding year, and yet strange to 

 say (their weights over and above being recorded), the 

 first-mentioned was the heavier of the two. Out of 

 such conflicting statements, to form anything like a 

 fixed conclusion on the subject is impossible ; nor, until 

 the experiments themselves are conducted on a wide 

 scale and placed under systematic control and manage- 

 ment, can we expect, in relation to them, much con- 

 sistency of detail. 



But let their results upon individual opinion be what 

 they may, the general impression in regard to the 

 growth of the smolt after its entrance into the sea 

 is, that it increases in size with astonishing rapidity, 

 so much so, that in the course of twelve or fourteen 

 weeks, it becomes transformed out of a fish two or 

 three ounces in weight into one of five or six pounds, 

 notwithstanding that to attain the insignificant weight 

 first-mentioned it consumes nearly a whole year. This 

 belief to some may appear very extraordinary, but to 

 those acquainted with salmon rivers and the general 

 habits of the fish, it has become perfectly natural. 

 There is one circumstance especially that favours it, 

 and this is, that, on ordinary years, the early grilses, 

 those which on Tweed enter the river about the end of 

 June, are generally small, averaging from two to five 

 pounds weight, that every succeeding week brings fish 



