8o ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



spring tides the sea pours in over the top of the said ridge. 

 Loch Sean contains a modified form of sea-tangle, dwarfed 

 and dark coloured. The loch is very shallow on its west 

 side, very deep on the east side, and is not reckoned a good 

 fishing loch. It is fed by several small spawning streams. 

 It holds sea-trout of good size, but many small ones : also 

 brown trout, of which I was credibly informed by Mr. Donald 

 Mackay. It is believed also by Mr. Mackay to hold 

 specimens of vS. ferox (so called), but I had no chance of 

 verifying this statement. I caught only a few brown trout 

 dark coloured, with a slight golden lustre and distinct 

 spots. 



TIDAL TROUT. 



The tidal trout of the rivers Inver and Kirkaig are 

 known to the natives as " fossacks." They ascend the Inver 

 only as far as the first tidal pool, or Bridge Pool, but go up 

 the Kirkaig as far as the Bridge Pool of that river, or about 

 two pools above the tide a distance of 150 yards above 

 the highest spring tide. This they do in the summer 

 months, but entirely disappear from these tidal pools in 

 winter, and after August ; and it is believed by the natives 

 that they fall back and spawn in deeper tidal waters. How- 

 ever, my own idea, from the appearance of these fish, which 

 grow up to 2 Ibs. and 5 Ibs. weight, and are very lusty and 

 powerful, is that it is more likely that they are barren fish, 

 spawning neither in fresh nor tidal water. They never are 

 known to rise to an artificial fly, and can only be caught 

 with a worm or a small " angel " or other bright spinning 

 bait. They are most abundant in these pools in May. 

 They are never caught in the brackish water, but only in the 

 perfectly fresh water when the tide is out of the pools ; but 

 many move up and down with each tide. Dr. Day, who 

 examined specimens I sent him, said they were simply river 

 trout living in brackish water. Their flesh is white and 

 tasteless, the colour slimy dark green and few or no spots, 

 and coarse scales. Head small, body very short and thick, 

 and they are very powerful and when hooked give good sport. 1 



1 From the whiteness of the flesh, and insipid flavour and softness, it 

 might almost seem, though strong and fighting vigorously for life if hooked, 

 that they are out of season and condition in May, June, and July. 



