SALMONID.E. 67 



theories concerning cross-breeding between Salmon, Sea Trout, Gray- 

 ling, and Common Trout, being set aside, is of easy proof. 



It only rests to show the male and female Parrs full of ova, ready 

 for spawning, and the question is settled. 



In connection with this, it is fair to state, that Dr. Heysham, of 

 Carlisle, in England, who is said to have devoted particular attention 

 to this fish, which is there called Brandling or Samlet, observes that 

 " The old Samlets begin to deposit their spawn in December, and 

 continue spawning the whole of that month, and perhaps some part 

 of January. As this season of the year is not favorable for 'angling, 

 few or no observations are made during these months. As soon as 

 they have spawned they retire, like the Salmon, to the sea, where they 

 remain till the autumn, when they again return to the rivers." 



After a number of farther observations concerning the young fry of 

 the supposed Parr, their sizes, seasons, &c., he concludes by these 

 words " In short, we see Samlets of various sizes we see them with 

 milt and roe, in all the various stages, and we see them perfectly 

 empty ; all which circumstances clearly prove that they are a distinct 

 species." 



Clearly, indeed ; if it appears that these circumstances can be 

 authenticated ; but this I, for the present, doubt first, because if 

 there had been visible facts, the theory never could have been started 

 of their being unproductive mules. Second, because Sir William 

 Jardine, after examination of the Parr of the Tweed, speaks of it as 

 still uncertain whether it may not be the young of the common Trout, 

 Salmo Fario ; and for this reason, that though he has found males 

 full of milt, he never has seen females with the roe in an advanced 

 state ; and, farthermore, distinctly avers, that " they have not been 

 discovered spawning in any of the shallow streams or lesser rivulets, 

 like the Trout." 



Sir William, however, still leans to the opinion that there is a 

 distinct species, in which the transverse markings are permanent, 

 which reproduces its own kind, and never grows to a greater size 

 than eight or nine inches ; and this he would retain under the title 

 given to it by Ray, of Salmo Salmulus. 



Mr. Yarrel is of the same opinion ; and has certainly shown 

 decidedly that it is not a hybrid, or a species of which there are 



