SALMON TROUT 67 



the same age, and smaller in proportion, but be- 

 comes 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 eighteen 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 exhibit- 

 ing 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 



* Cf. note on the sea trout on p. 8. (ED.) 



