STORMONTFIELD EXPERIMENT. 89 



the malejgarr is as fit to continue its species as \ 

 the adult male^ salmon,, but nQ female parr has 

 yet been discovered with roe developed. The 

 experiment has also established the fact that there 

 is no difference in the length of time taken to 

 hatch, or the appearance of the fry after hatching, 

 up to the smoult state, between the fry of salmon, 

 grilse, salmon and grilse, salmon and parr, or 

 grilse and parr. 



It has also been ascertained that the fry of the 

 first year that assume the migratory dress, are 

 composed of both sexes in nearly equal propor- 

 tions, and it makes no difference whether the fry 

 be reared from salmon or grilse, or salmon and 

 grilse, or salmon and parr, or grilse and parr. 

 Why those that remain behind for another year t 

 do so, and a few no doubt of each hatching for a 

 year more, we cannot tell, but such is the fact; and 

 the best reason we can venture to give is, that 

 by this means the river has always fish in it, that 

 will migrate at least a month sooner in the spring 

 than the fry of the first year, and also that male 

 parrs will always be at hand in the river during 

 the spawning months in a fit condition to supply 

 the want of male salmon, when that occurs, which 

 is a wise provision in nature, as many females in j 



