92 THE SCOTTISH ANGLER. 



We have proved, then, upon undeniable premises, 

 that the par can be nothing else than the fry of the 

 salmon ; and we will now discover a few points of simi- 

 larity in these fish, and relate a singular circumstance 

 which, about a year ago, turned our attention to this 

 subject. And first, as to the similarity between them. 

 Both have the tail forked, the gills marked in the same 

 manner ; the pectoral fins of a dark blackish colour, 

 while in trout they are pale or yellowish, also more 

 extended than in the latter fish : they have both an 

 activity mutually proportioned to their sizes, and an 

 equal affection for rapid streams. The external shape, 

 although not fully developed in the par, is yet similar 

 to that of the salmon ; it wants the proportions of a 

 grown fish, no more than the foal those of the horse. 

 Its head, indeed, is somewhat rounder, requiring elon- 

 gation ; the back, too, straight, and displaying a want 

 of strength; but still the principal points are alike, dis- 

 covering an intimate and mutual kinship. 



And here an objection will be taken to the colour 

 of the par, and its want of those silvery scales which 

 belong to the salmon ; but, let it be remembered that 

 as yet it is, in a manner, an unclean fish, not having 

 proceeded to the sea : how, then, can it be expected to 

 retain this brilliant covering, when salmon themselves, 

 in ascending rivers, throw it aside, and become, in some 

 cases, undistinguishable from a large, common, ill-fed 

 trout ? We believe, however, that the young fry, when 

 first produced, exhibit a coat of scales, which lies on 

 them till spring, when many descend in shoals to the 

 salt water, and the others remaining cast it off; nor does 

 it grow again until the end of autumn, when they are 

 prepared to journey seaward with the floods, which 

 happen about that season. 



It has been asked, why in many of our Highland 



