302 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



tier, but much shorter in the parr ; the vomer is much 

 weaker ; the bones or rays of the gill-covers are longer and 

 much narrower than those of the trout. The teeth of the 

 parr are smaller ; the bone of the tongue longer, weaker, 

 and not so broad ; the under jaw much weaker, and the 

 distance between the two sides of the under jaw, in the 

 parr, about one-third less. These are the most conspicu- 

 ous distinctions, but every bone varies ; and not in one only, 

 but in many specimens which I have lately examined, the 

 distinctions were the same, and at once to be perceived. In 

 this state, therefore, I have no hesitation in considering the 

 parr not only distinct, but one of the best and most con- 

 stantly marked species we have, and that it ought to re- 

 main in our systems as the Salmo Salmidus of Ray."* 



" Dr Hey sham, at different times and seasons opened 

 and examined three hundred and ninety-five parrs, or stm- 

 lets as they are called at Carlisle, and found one hundred 

 and ninety-nine males, and one hundred and ninety-six fe- 

 males ;" and J. C. Heysham, Esq. sent Mr Yarrell a speci- 

 men measuring seven inches in length, having both lobes of 

 roe in a forward state. 



" It is the opinion of Dr Heysham of Carlisle, that trie 

 old samlets begin to deposit their spawn in December, and 

 continue spawning the whole of that month, and perhaps 

 some part of January. As this season of the year is not 

 favourable to angling, few or no observations are made du- 

 ring these months. As soon as they have spawned, they 

 retire, like the salmon, to the sea, where they remain till 

 the Autumn, when they again return to the rivers. The 

 spawn deposited by the old samlets in the sand, begins to 

 exclude the young or fry according to the temperature of 

 the season, either in April or May. The young samlets 



* Sir William Jardine, Bait., Edin. New Phil. Jour. Jan. 1835. 



