554 
THE OCEAN WORLD. 
eye and over the operculum or covering. Some brownish irregular spots, 
variable both in form and size, are sprinkled over the sides. In other 
respects their colours are subject to variations according to circum- 
stances. Before assirming the characters here indicated, however, the 
Fig. 377. The Young Salmon. 
salmon has passed through three stages, each of which are marked by 
peculiarities worthy of being noted. The young salmon (Fig. 377) is 
greyish and striped with black. At the end of a year it has acquired 
Fig. 373. Salmon, or Parr, a year old. 
a fine metallic hue. “ The other parts,” according to Mr. Blanchard, 
“ are of a dazzling steel-blue ; eight or ten large spots of the sam e 
brilliant blue cover it as with a silvery mantle on the sides ; between 
these spots a reddish or, rather, brightish-rusty iron colour prevails ; A 
