308 GRILSE LARGER THAN SALMON. 



called salmon-peel. Some of them are much 

 larger than small salmon ; but by the term gilse 

 I mean young salmon that have been only once 

 to sea. They are easily distinguished from sal- 

 mon by their countenance, and less plump appear- 

 ance, and particularly by the diminished size of 

 the part of the body next the tail, which also is 

 more forked than that of the salmon. They 

 remain in fresh water all the autumn and winter, 

 and spawn at the same time with the salmon. 

 They return also to sea in the spring with the ^ 

 salmon." 



Growth of the parr or salmon fry. At two 

 months old they are one inch and a quarter long, 

 at four months, two inches and a half, at six 

 months, three inches and a quarter. At eighteen 

 months old the fry measures six inches in length, 

 and the milt of the male is matured, and can be 

 made to flow from the body by the slightest 

 pressure ; but the females of a similar age do not 

 exhibit a corresponding appearance as to the ma- 

 turity of the roe. The male is at this time in the 

 autumn of his second year, and lies about and in 

 the spawning beds of the large salmon, where he 

 impregnates the ova. The following spring he is 

 about seven inches and a half long, when beauti- 

 ful silver scales grow over the spots and bars 

 which have characterised him up to this period ; 

 and the majority of the breed then congregate, 



