S A L M O SALAR.
THE COMMON SA.LMON OF THE BRITISH WATERS.
YOUNG OR GILSE.
PLATE VIII.
FliOM tho large size of Oia mcslies of iho nols used in ibu Salmon Fisheries, Gilses are very seldom taken in ihe sea or
estuaries under the weight of a pound nnd a half. Tlie Inuisition state, therefore, between the Fry in the migratory dress, as
it leaves t]ie fresh waters, and its return as tho Gilse of the usual siae on their first run, becomes very interesting.
The specimen represented ou this i'late was taken in the sttdse-nets on the Solway, belonging to J. Irving, Esq. of
Newbie, in the end of June, and is considered as having been for a short time only in the sea, after the assumption of the
eomjilete migratory dress. The scales were very easily deciduous, the colours extremely deUcnte, and all external traces of
red spotting or of the dark bars were obliterated; but upon holding the skin between tlie eye and the light, the position of the
latter were plainly distinguished. Tlie dark colour of the inner surface of tlie pectoral fins is very strongly marked.
In the adult states of the British migratory Salmon, tlio teeth do not run along the whole length ol' the vomer; and
in Sabno Salar which has attained a weight of from three to six pounds, thoy are placcd oa the expanded anterior part of
the bone. In the young of lUl they run along the whole length, but soon alter their change of dress tlicy are iu part lost
or shed. In the fish which sensed for our figure, they still partiaUy existed—a few having been cast, which still more increases
the Interest of the specimen, as marking the time when this change commences to take plaee.
A second specimen was obtiiined a few days later, of the
been stated in regai'd to that reproscnted.
it of six and a half ounces, which confirmed what has