488 NATURAL HISTORY or AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



venient to give names to the extremes of development in different directions, and neglect to take 

 into account tbe forms intermediate between these extremes. Mr. Kumlien studied the subject in 

 different localities in the summer of 1880, and the results of his observations are here presented. 



In the vicinity of Green Bay those having salmon-colored flesh were called "Black Trout," 

 while others, with white flesh, were known as " Lake Trout." On the eastern shore of Green Bay, 

 on the east shore of Lake Michigan, two species of "Mackinaw Trout" are recognized by the fisher- 

 men. About Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, two varieties are also recognized, one being long; 

 slim, and coarse-meated, taken in shallow water, and are known as "Reef Trout," or when very 

 large are called " Racers"; they are supposed to follow the schools of white-fish, among which they 

 nre always taken; those of the other form are called "Pot-bellies," being short and chubby, and 

 invariably taken in deep water. In the vicinity of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, two forms' are recog- 

 nized, one known as "Reef Trout," corresponding to the one just mentioned, large and lank, with 

 tough and coarse flesh, while the other, which is much more highly prized, is taken in deep water. 

 At the south end of Lake Michigan two forms are known : one, which is darker- colored and has 

 red flesh, being considered by far the more valuable. At Grand Haven there are two forms of 

 Mackinaw Trout, known as the "Shoal-water Trout' 1 and the " Deep-water Trout." In the vicinity 

 of Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, the name "Buckskin" is applied to one variety, which is held in 

 very slight esteem, while another form is known by the name of " Racer." 



The angling authorities as well as the fishermen refuse to be convinced that ichthyologists are 

 right in including all the Lake Trouts in one species; the former are especially dissatisfied that 

 the Lake Trout of the East should be thought identical with the Mackinaw Trout of the North- 

 western and Great Lakes, and they support their views by reference to their very different habits. 

 Local variations should, undoubtedly, be taken into consideration, and when these are better 

 understood it is probable that zoologists and anglers will compromise by agreeing to consider the 

 most strongly marked types as races or breeds, such as are now recognized among dogs, pigeons, 

 and other domesticated animals. 



NAMES. In addition to the names which have already been mentioned, the Lake Trout has 

 other appellatives, such as "Lunge," in Canada; "Tyrant of the Lake," "Laker," "Red Trout," 

 "Gray Trout," "Black Lunge," "Silver Lunge," "Racer Lunge," "Black Salmon," and "Lake 

 Salmon." The name "Tuladi" is said to be derived from Lake Toledi at the head of the Saint 

 John River, of New Brunswick. 



IMPORTANCE. "The Trout of the Great Lakes," writes Miluer, "is one of the three most 

 numerous fishes, and, except the sturgeon, attains the greatest weight of any of the Lake species. 

 It is captured almost exclusively in gill-nets, and in some portions of the Lakes they take them in 

 pound-nets during the spawning season. In winter a great many are taken in the bays through 

 holes cut in the ice." 



SPAWNING^ In the spawning season they approach the shore, but do not ascend the rivers, 

 and although they are known to exist in a few inland lakes, connected with the main lakes by 

 rapids, there is no record of their having been seen or taken in the outlets. 



The observations of Mr. Kumlien concerning the relative abundance of this species in different 

 parts of the Great Lake region, and the periodicity of their movements, are deemed of sufficient 

 importance to be recounted somewhat at length below. The whole subject of their movements is, 

 however, so closely connected with their habits during the spawning season that it is perhaps 

 desirable to discuss first their breeding habits. The spawning season in Lakes Michigan and 

 Superior occurs in October. Their habits at this time have not been studied by any zoologists, 

 the visits of Milner and Kumlien to their haunts having been made at other seasons of the year. 



