162 ANGLING. 



after hatching, as they were now in November 

 1837 six months old, and exhibited no desire to 

 change their quarters, either in pond or river. We 

 think, then, that at this stage of the business, 

 setting the parr question, however interesting, 

 altogether aside Mr. Shaw proved the important 

 fact, hitherto denied by naturalists, that young 

 salmon do not proceed to the sea the same year in 

 which they are hatched. 



During the winter months, the low temperature 

 both of air and water, and the consequent deficiency 

 of insect food, prevent almost all increase of growth. 

 Thus a specimen (marked No. 6,) exhibited to the 

 Royal Society of Edinburgh, was taken from the 

 pond in the middle of February 1838 it was then 

 nine months old but its dimensions scarcely differ 

 from those of its predecessor of November. But 

 another specimen, (marked No. 7,) taken from the 

 pond on the 10th May, by which time it was 

 twelve months old though it measured only 3f 

 inches, was much improved in general condition, 

 and had exchanged its dusky autumnal and winter 

 coating for what may be called its summer aspect. 

 It now corresponds, both in age and size, with 

 those which, in the natural bed of the river, are 

 called " May Parr," and it is these latter alone, 

 except the newly hatched fry lying concealed 

 among the shingle, which are found in the river 

 after the early part of May, as about that period 

 the two year olds (to be ere long described) have 

 all migrated sea-wards. These May parr are to 

 be regarded as identical with the " Pinks of the 



