The Identification of Salmon and Trout. 151 



transverse bars. There are 11 or 12 rows of 

 scales transversely from behind the adipose 

 fin, or rayless back fin near the tail, forward 

 to the lateral line. The young of the first 

 and second year are called " parrs ; " after they 

 assume the silvery coat, in 12 to 24 months, 

 they are called " smolts," in which stage the 

 scales are very easily removed, and come off 

 on their being handled. On their return from 

 the sea they are called " grilse." After spawn- 

 ing the female is called a "kelt," and the 

 male a " kipper." 



The form of the bones of the opercular, or 

 valve-like plates covering the gills and forming 

 the cheek-bones, affords a useful guide to 

 identify the species, the posterior margin of 

 those of the salmon forming nearly a semi- 

 circle, which differs in form in the other 

 species. 



The salmon trout, or Salmo trutta, is a 

 small variety of salmon, the flavour of which 

 is considered by many to equal that of the 

 true salmon. This fish, in different stages, is 

 often taken for the Salmo eriox, with which 

 it has been confounded by some otherwise 

 good authorities. The parr has nine or ten 



