THE SALMON'S GROWTH. 25 



about the vicinity of its birthplace, weak and timid, hid- 

 ing among the stones, and always apparently of the same 

 colour as the " surroundings " of its asylum. Speedily 

 the transverse bars of the parr begin to show themselves, 

 and the fish grows with considerable rapidity, especially 

 if it is to be a twelvemonth's smolt. 



The young fish continue to grow for a little longer than 

 two years before the whole number reach the second 

 stage in the life of the salmon, and develop into smolts ; 

 after which they descend the rivers, and seek the salt 

 water. It is to be noted, however, that half the quan- 

 tity of any one hatching begin to change at a little over 

 twelve months from the date of their birth : hence arises 

 the anomalous circumstance of fish of the same hatching 

 being partly grilse, weighing four pounds, and partly 

 parr, weighing barely half an ounce. The smolts of the 

 first year return from their sea- voyage while their brothers 

 and sisters are still gambolling among the shallow waters 

 of the upper streams, not only showing no desire for 

 change, lout not being in a condition to endure it. 



What the salmon feeds upon while in the salt water 

 has not been discovered ; it assimilates its food so rapidly, 

 that none is found in its stomach when it is captured 

 and opened. As it thrives apace, however, its feeding 

 must be nutritious, and probably consists of crustaceans, 

 herrings, sand-launces, and other small fish. 



The parr were at one time supposed to be a distinct 

 species; but Mr. Shaw, of Drumlanrig, in 1 834-3 G, by 

 a series of experiments, proved that they are neither more 

 nor less than young salmon ; and this fact has been con- 

 firmed by observations taken at the Stormoiitfield breed- 

 ing-ponds, on the Tay. 



