DISTRIBUTION OF THE EUROPEAN CHARS. 503 



lakes, conditions precisely similar to tliose of the lakes of Norway and of Scotland, and under 

 these favorable conditions has survived in a state of great perfection. 



We have in the Great Lakes of North America a fish closely allied to the Chars, which, under 

 remarkably favorable circumstances, with plenty of room and an immense supply of rich and easily 

 attainable food, has developed into one of great size and commercial importance, the Lake Trout, 

 and its cousin, the Siscowet. 



RELATIONSHIPS. The various Lake Trouts of Maine and Eastern Canada, found in the 

 smaller lakes of those regions, are very similar to the European Char. The American species 

 which, however, bears the closest resemblance to the European Char is, as has been stated, the, 

 Blue-backed Trout, or Oquassa Trout, of Rangely Lake, the Red-spotted Trout of the Pacific coast, 

 SalrelinitH malma, known also as the " Dolly Vardeu," being very similar in habits to the Brook 

 Trouts of the East. 



The resemblances between the Saibling and the Oquassa are as follows : 



1. They inhabit the deepest waters of their lake home, and are never seen except at their 

 spawning season. 



2. They spawn late in the fall. 



3. At the spawning season they come into shallow water near the shores, or in the mouths 

 of streams, and may be taken with the greatest of ease. 



4. They never willingly inhabit streams of running water. 



These peculiarities the two species have in common, and, excepting the habit of autumn 

 spawning, they share them with no other members of the family. The Saibling, howevor, is a 

 much larger and finer species than the Oquassa, and it is hoped that it may be adapted for 

 cultivation in many of the smaller lakes in which our Great Lake Trout is not likely to thrive. 

 It is regarded as a very excellent food-fish, and is doubtless more delicate in flavor than the Lake 

 Trout, sharing most of the excellent qualities of the Brook Trout. 



HABITS. The Saibliug, which through the courtesy of the German Government is now being 

 introduced into the United States, is the European Char in its highest state of perfection. The 

 following account of its habits is translated from a sketch by Dr. Wittmack, of Berlin : 



" The Saibliug varies much in form, size, and color, according to its age, sex, and habitat. 

 Those which come from the highest Alpine lakes are always small, but those in the lakes of Switzer- 

 land and Savoy have higher bodies, larger scales, and also a clearer color yellowish -while, with red 

 belly. This form was formerly considered distinct, and was known as the 'Ritter' or 'Knight' 

 among the river Trout, the species which is found at the greatest height above the sea. In Swit- 

 zerland, according to Tschudi, it is found at a height of 4,400 feet ; in Bavaria, according to von 

 Siebold, in the Green Lake, at the height of 5,000 feet :; in the Tyrol, in the Gaislacher Sea, at the 

 height of 7,000 feet, and in the Pleuderle Sea, at the height of 7,603 feet. In the Green Lake, as 

 well as in other Alpine lakes, this is the only species of fish which occurs. It seems certain that 

 it is found at greater heights in the eastern than in the western Alps, and is also more abundant. 

 The breeding season occurs in the months of October, November, and December, and continues 

 until February; for example, in certain lakes in Steiermark. In Lake Fuessen it occurs in 

 October and November; in Lake Messkirch, where they are artificially propagated, in Febmary 

 and March; in the lakes at Saltzberg they spawn from November to January, and apparently also 

 in February; and, in spite of the extensive fishery during the spawning time, there is no evidence 

 of a decrease in their numbers. They feed upon small fish, and also, when at liberty, upon the 

 small crustaceans, daphnids, and cyclopids.- In the Alpine lakes these constitute their only food. 



