SALMON TROUT. 83 



are more slender, as well as more numerous than in 

 those fish. The tail is less forked than in Salmon of 

 the same age, and smaller in proportion, but becomes 

 ultimately square at the end. 



It is found in most, if not in all salmon rivers ; but 

 it is now very scarce in the Tweed, which I attribute 

 to the spates that are become more sudden and violent 

 in that river than formerly, owing to a more complete 

 drainage of the mountains and adjoining lands; for 

 these fish always prefer the smaller and less turbulent 

 streams. Like the Salmon, it remains in the river 

 two years before it puts on the migratory dress, and the 

 males also shed their milt at 18 months old, similar 

 to the Parr (so called) of a corresponding age. The 

 Orange Fin, for so the fry of the Sea Trout is called, so 

 much resembles the common River Trout, that it is with 

 very great difficulty it can be distinguished from it. 

 Like the Gilse, it returns to the river the summer of its 

 spring migration, weighing about a pound and a half 

 upon an average. It afterwards increases about a pound 

 and a half a year ; but is seldom seen above six or 

 seven pounds, though it probably attains to a much 

 greater weight. 



By the aid of the cruive, Mr. Shaw traced this fish 

 from the Orange Fin of three ounces to the Hirling or 

 Whitling, up to the Sea Trout of seven pounds; and he 

 has now a specimen in his possession exhibiting the 

 four several marks he had put on it in the course of 

 its annual migrations. At the size of six pounds the 

 central rays of the tail were considerably increased in 

 length, so much so in the males that their tails became 



