HYBRIDS 



THERE is not the least doubt that in nature many hybrids are to 

 be found. Sea-trout may often be seen spawning with grilse, and 



FIG. 261. i-lb. Zebra, cross between American Char and Loch Leven Trout. 



trout with sea-trout. These being so much alike, it would be almost 

 impossible to tell whether the offspring were crosses or not. Sir 

 James Maitland carried out many experiments at his Howieton 

 Fisheries in crossing brown trout with salmon, char with salmon parr, 

 American char with Loch Leven trout. The latter cross he called a 

 "zebra." See illustration of one bred in Howieton Fisheries (Fig. 

 261). This fish was light scarlet on the belly and had peculiar mark- 

 ings along the side, as shown in the photograph. For a description 

 of these experiments I refer the reader to Day s British and Irish 

 Salmonidcz. If these experiments have clone nothing to improve the 



breed of fish, they have at least proved that crossing is possible. 



276 



