SAMI.RT, OR PARR. 
^49 
retaining their lateral markings, and instead of being silvery 
are yellowish in colour, like the Trout; hence it follows that 
this is a distinct fish from the Salmon. In this case an 
opinion opposed to that of Mr, Shaw would seem to be a 
necessary consequence.” 
Observations to the same purpose are contained in the work 
of Dr. Knox, already referred to, but they are too copious 
for our pages. We prefer, therefore, to give a single para- 
graph, (p. 87,) which shews, indeed, as we are ready to 
acknowledge, that the natural history of the true Parr or 
Samlet is not well understood, but which appears decisive of 
the fact that it is not the same with the Salmon in any 
stage of its growth. “Examine, as I have done, hundreds 
and hundreds of the true Salmon Smolt, while descending the 
rivers, sparkling with their silvery scales, and obviously ‘Salmon 
in miniature,’ towards the ocean; and the roe and milt will 
constantly be found at their minimum, that is, mere threads. 
And yet, after all these have left the river for the ocean, we 
almost immediately find the Parr with the milt or male 
organs in the highest state of development. If these were 
smolts not yet sufficiently grown, how comes it that their 
brothers of a year older growth, as is said, have left the 
river with the milt at its minimum, leaving behind them 
cheir younger brothers with the same organ at its maximum?” 
That the Samlet is indeed to be found in some rivers in 
every month of the year admits of no doubt; and fi'om a 
desire to investigate the subject still further, in the first week 
of January I procured from the Lerryn branch of the Fowey 
River a basket of Sahmnidm, of which the Samlets and 
Trouts were in about equal numbers. The Trouts were in 
good condition, but none of them displayed any development 
of the roe or milt; and such also was the case with those 
Samlets which were less than five inches in length, of which 
there were several. But in those Samlets which measured 
more than this, or about six inches, the milts in the males 
were large enough to fill the cavity, and it is remarkable that 
of this I found in each only a single lobe. If this should on 
further search be found a character of the species, there would 
be no further doubt of their being distinct, for in the Salmon 
these organs are in two lobes; but I hesitate in expressing 
VOL. IV. 2 K 
