250 DR. J. MURiE ON THE [Mar. 26, 



consequence. A net was then put over the tank to prevent a further 

 loss of Hfe. 



The same phenomena as regards alteration in colour, and restless 

 disposition at the annual migratory period, occurred the year fol- 

 lowing (1866). 



It was further observed that those which had assumed the silvery 

 dress in the beginning of the year again lost it in the autumn, and 

 became distinctly Parr-marked. 



During the latter part of 1866 a good many specimens died — some 

 of those that had assumed the smolt dress, and also others that had 

 not changed. 



In 1867 the few that remained exhibited change of dress, rest- 

 lessness, and leaping-propensity in the spring, as they had done in 

 previous years. 



As to their growth, this can only be spoken of approximately ; for 

 no exact measurements were taken of those that died previously to 

 the specimen which I exhibit to the Meeting. 



During the first and second years the young fish seemed to grow, 

 and did attain a size corresponding to the young of Salmon — that is, 

 from 3 to 6 inches long. It may be observed, however, that at the 

 last period spoken of they particularly varied in size ; in other words, 

 some seemed to grow more rapidly or be longer than others, from 

 the same batch of ova. 



During the third and fourth years they appeared all to have 

 grown somewhat larger ; but the accession of growth was very limited 

 compared with what had taken })lace the two previous years. They 

 still varied in size, attaining, it might be, 5, 6, and 7 inches respec- 

 tively. 



Only two, as previously mentioned, have lived to their fifth year ; 

 these I shall presently describe, but premise this much of them — 

 that, according to Tennent and Mr. Bartlett, they have grown little, 

 if at all, during this last year. The words of these gentlemen are, 

 " they have not perceptibly grown during that period." 



My inquiries as to feeding have been thus answered : — When 

 (juite young they received the yolk of egg boiled hard and broken 

 up into small fragments ; as they grew older, but in their first year. 

 Daphne uculeata and suchlike water-insects, with the common blood- 

 worm were consumed by them in quantities ; raw flesh chopped up 

 was also occasionally given them. 



In the succeeding years, worms, chopped meat, fish-spawn, and 

 the fry of minute fish have been added. They have always had 

 abundance of fresh food, which at times has been given to them as 

 often as from twelve to twenty times daily. 



Description. — Having thus dwelt at considerable length on the 

 history of our Salmon-culture in the Society's Gardens, I shall 

 proceed to describe in detail two of the said young Rhine Salmon. 



That which I may for convenience' sake call No. 1 (Plate XXIII. 

 fig. 1) I now exhibit, preserved in spirits; the other. No. 2 (Plate 

 XXIII. fig. 2), is at present alive and well in the tank in the 

 Society's Fish-house. Both these were among the brood reared in 



