AS OBSERVED IN SCOTLAND. 



137 



the common trout hath always two or more of such rows, more varied 

 in colour, and less equalised in their dimensions. Again, the pectoral 

 fin of the par is broader, and contains a greater quantity of spines than 

 that of the common trout. Thirdly, the gills are more silvery and clear of 

 marks, being at no time impressed with more than one or two ; while in 

 the trout they have a yellowish appearance, and are studded over with a 

 large number of dark spots. The tail of the one also is forked, that of 

 the other mostly straight. In fact, there is in the whole aspect of the 

 par, when narrowly examined, a singular difference from that of the 

 trout. It is, besides, a nimbler and less cunning fish, and never seems 

 to increase beyond a certain size, although well known to attain that 

 maximum in the course of two or three months from its first appear- 

 ance during the angling season. And this is a fact to which we beg 

 attention, as it will shortly go some way to support our theory concern- 

 ing the par, that it is the young of the salmon in a certain state. 



In order to prove this, it will be granted to us, as we shall boldly 

 assume, that Pennant's assertion is erroneous, and that this fish is only 

 found in waters visited by the salmon ; that, in point of fact, it has some 

 sort of connection, whether direct or indirect, with the sea* 



This postulate has been allowed by almost every writer on the sub- 

 ject, and yet has done little towards settling the question at issue. 

 Three theories, barring the one of its being a distinct species of trout, 

 are abroad concerning the par. The first and most general opinion is, 

 that the par belongs both to the trout and salmon species, and is a sort of 

 mule betwixt them. The second theory maintained by some reckons 

 it to be the male" of the sea-trout, whitling, or finnock : and the third, 

 which is by far the soundest, is held, certainly we confess upon suspi- 

 cious premises, by the E^trick Shepherd, and assumes that the par is 

 nothing else than the fry of the salmon. 



We shall consider these three opinions individually, and give our 

 reasons for supporting the last. First then, as to the par being a mule 

 betwixt the salmon (under which term we include the grilse and 

 whitling,) and river trout. 



How happens it, that two such comparatively large fishes produce so 

 attenuated a breed, when we know that the cross betwixt beasts, such 

 as that of the horse and ass, is proportioned to the size of the animals, 

 and that the four-footed mule is so much less than the one, and larger 

 than the other ? Neither does the crossing of different birds, such as the 



goldfinch with the bulfinch, diminish their offspring in any degree ; 



yet the par produced by one fish a yard in length, with another most 



VOL. II.— NO. III. t 



