SALMON 21 



But indeed I had not resided long on the banks of 

 the Tweed, before I came to the conclusion that the 

 Parr was not a distinct species, but, as I have said, 

 was actually the young of the Salmon ; and very 

 many years ago, long before Mr. Shaw's experi- 

 ments, Mr. Kennedy having brought in a bill for 

 the better preservation of the salmon fisheries, I 

 wrote to him the following letter, which I transcribe 

 from the first draught, which I preserved : 



" PAVILION, MELROSE. 



" SIR, 



' Your Salmon Bill being in progress, permit 

 me to have the honour of addressing you on a point 

 that is at present overlooked, and that you will at 

 once perceive is of vital importance to its successful 

 operation. 



" It is a fact, that whilst the legislature has im- 

 posed penalties for the destruction of Smolts or 

 Salmon fry, not only those whose duty it is to put 

 the law in force, but the public, and even fishermen 

 themselves, cannot ascertain what these are at all 

 seasons of the year. On the contrary, for most part 

 of the year they go by the name of Parrs, and are 

 destroyed daily with impunity, and in incredible 

 quantities. Hitherto the Parr and the Smolt have 

 been considered as different species ; but that they 

 are precisely the same, I think may be demon- 

 strated. 



' The received opinion, and that which the present 

 law of Scotland acts upon, is, that the Salmon fry of 

 the winter and spring congregate and go down to 



