190 The History of the Salmon. 



wave is from one to two ounces." With, reference to the time 

 at which the character of the fish is changed, Mr. Brown in- 

 forms us that one half go off the first year, and the other half 

 remain in the pond ; and, he adds, " until the parr takes on the 

 smoult scales, it shows no inclination to leave the freshwater. 

 It cannot live in saltwater. This fact was put to the test by 

 placing some parrs in saltwater, and immediately on being im- 

 mersed in it, the fish appeared distressed, the fins standing stiff 

 out, the parr marks becoming a brilliant ultramarine colour, and 

 the belly and sides of a bright orange. The water was often 

 renewed, but they all died, the last that died living merely five 

 hours.'" When the parr is covered with new scales it is ready 

 for sea bathing. When it ' ' returns as a grilse, its scales came off 

 with the slightest handling, and it is ouly when it returns as a 

 salmon, or has been long enough in the sea, that the scales 

 become rigid and firm." 



Among the various experiments in marking the fish to re- 

 cognize them at a future period, silver rings were employed, 

 but the individuals thus decorated appeared peculiarly attractive 

 to their enemies, and the method failed. Mr. Brown contends 

 that the success at Stormontfield justifies operations on a much 

 larger scale, and it appears that Mr. Ashworth and his brother 

 are making extensive experiments in Galway. 



Among the natural history facts established at Stormontfield, 

 we may mention, the proof that the parr is not a distinct fish, 

 but the young of another fish, the salmon parr being the young 

 of the salmon. It also appears that " the male parr is as fit to 

 continue its species as the adult male salmon, but no female 

 parr has yet been discovered with the roe developed." Among 

 the fry that assume the migratory dress during the first year, 

 the two sexes figure in nearly equal proportions, but why some 

 remain behind for another year has not been ascertained. 

 " That the smoults return again to the river in which they were 

 reared has also been proved by the number of marked grilse 

 which have been caught in the Tay since the experiment com- 

 menced. The experiment has also proved that the marked 

 grilse of one year return as salmon the next, and we think it 

 has also proved that all the smoults of one year do not return 

 the same year as grilse, the one half returning the next spring 

 and summer as small salmon.'" 



We have selected from Mr. Brown's work — all the more 

 valuable because the information is carefully condensed — a few 

 points of general interest ; but we recommend all who are 

 specially concerned, to consult its pages, as it contains a clear 

 exposition of a subject of considerable economical importance, 

 and throws much light upon many scientific questions in the 

 history of the fish about which it treats. 



