BLUE POLL. 221 



We nre informed that the female Blue Cocks are often sold 

 for Salmon, and both sexes are highly valued for the table. 

 A female fish, which had spawned, was taken with a fly on 

 the 4th. of March; and when first hooked it is its habit to 

 leap out of the water, as the Peal is known to do, but contrary 

 to the custom of the Salmon. The example here referred to 

 measured fourteen inches and a half in length, which seems to 

 be about the usual size; the form slender, depth in front oi 

 the dorsal fin two inches and five eighths; gape considerable, 

 teeth in the vomer, and otherwise as in others of this family 

 From the snout to the border of the hindmost gill-cover three 

 inches and six eighths. Eye large, nostrils close together. On 

 the border of the second gill-cover a mark as if serrated; the 

 whole head rather stoiit in proportion to the body. The dorsal 

 fin begins six inches and three eighths fiom the snout, with 

 fourteen rays, the first very short, the third longest, last rays 

 extended; anal eleven; ventrals nine; tail a little concave, with 

 twenty rays, with a row of eleven or twelve short side rays; 

 termination of the body at the tail a little crenate. Lateral 

 line with ducts of which I was able to count one hundred and 

 twelve. Colour of the back blue, light on the top of the head, 

 green on the cheeks, a yellowish portion behind the eye; eye 

 golden; brilliant white on the sides and belly; dorsal fin greenish 

 pale blue; border of the adipose fin slight red; spots on the 

 sides and dorsal fi.n not well defined; larger spots on the 

 hindmost gill-cover, very small behind the eye. Air bladder of 

 good size, posteriorly attached to the vent, and forward 

 lengthened to the gullet, where it opens with a visible aperture, 

 as in others of the genus. The skin much tougher than in the 

 Peal. In another example, which appears to have lately spawned, 

 there was no tint of green; brilliant blue on the hindmost part 

 of the head; dorsal fin rays twelve. It differs from the Peal 

 in being more slender, the eye larger, the open nostril nearer 

 the eye than to the snout, contrary to what is found in the 

 Peal; pectoral fin longer and not so wide. 



