io8 



Salmonidas 



usually edged with bright colors. The sexual differences are 

 not great. The scales, in general, are smaller than in other 

 Salmonida, and they are imbedded in the skin to such a degree 

 as to escape the notice of casual observers and even of most 

 anglers. 



"One trout scale in the scales I'd lay 

 (If trout had scales), and 'twill outweigh 

 The wrong side of the balances." LOWELL. 



The chairs inhabit, in general, only the clearest and coldest 

 of mountain streams and lakes, or bays of similar temperature. 

 They are not migratory, or only to a limited extent. In northern 

 regions they descend to the sea, where they grow much more 

 rapidly and assume a nearly uniform silvery-gray color. The 

 different species are found in all suitable waters throughout the 

 northern parts of both continents, except in the Rocky Moun- 

 tains and Great Basin, where only the black-spotted trout 

 occur. The number of species of charr is very uncertain, as, 

 both in America and Europe, trivial variations and individual 

 peculiarities have been raised' to the rank of species. More 

 types, however, seem to be represented in America than in 

 Europe. 



The only really well-authenticated species of charr in Euro- 

 pean waters is the red charr, salbling, or ombre chevalier (Salve- 



FIG. 72. Rangeley Trout, Salvelinus oqruassa (Girard). Lake Oquassa, Maine. 



linus alpinus). This species is found in cold, clear streams in 

 Switzerland, Germany, and throughout Scandinavia and the 

 British Islands. Compared with the American charr or brook- 

 trout, it is a slenderer fish, with smaller mouth, longer fins, 

 and smaller red spots, which are confined to the sides of the 



