THE FISHERY INTERESTS OF AUSTRIA. 609 



at the spawning places ; in the lakes, however, they are caught with 

 hooks and flies, which have been introduced from England. 



Ichthyologists and fishermen have frequently confounded the lake- 

 trout belonging to the alpine lakes with the sea-trout (Trutta trutta) of 

 the Korth Sea and the Baltic. Those of different age and sex have 

 also been mistaken for separate species. The lake species, with com- 

 pletely developed sexual organs, which, in some lakes, as in the Chiem 

 Lake, is called salmon-trout, and on the Lake of Constance ground-trout, 

 is distinguished by a plumper shape, grows rapidly like the other kind 

 of salmon, and reaches a weight of 31^ to G2£ pounds avoirdupois, 

 and even more. Those which on the Lake of Constance, are called 

 " floating-trout," (Schwebforellen,) and on the Austrian lakes May trout, 

 remain barren and develop in a totally different manner from the fruit- 

 ful lake-trout. They are less fleshy than the ground-trout. 



The male of the lake trout changes considerably in color and quality 

 of skin during the spawning season while he sojourns in running waters. 

 According to whetber they are caught in spring or autumn, in different 

 localities, of different color or size, they are called by different names 

 among the fishermen. 



The brook trout to which, besides the common brook trout, (Trutta 

 fario,) some Dalmatian species belong, such as the Trotta and Pastrova. 

 The Trutta fario is of the utmost importance to protect, because it is 

 found in nearly all clear waters, especially mountain and forest streams 

 to a height of 5,000 feet; its flesh is universally esteemed, and its cul- 

 ture, both natural and artificial, is very productive, while it is easily 

 kept and fed. It is therefore considered one of the most important fish 

 to cultivate. The color, and partly also the size which it reaches, vary 

 according to its location, the influence of light, the seasou, water, and 

 food, and therefore several varieties are distinguished, such as the 

 forest or stone trout, the alpine or mountain trout, the gold or pond 

 trout, the lake-trout, and, according to the lighter or darker coloring 

 the white trout, the black trout, &c. In this species, some are likewise 

 found which are barren, and never spawn., 



In the smaller and rapid mountain streams, which do not afford much 

 food, the trout scarcely reach a length of 12 to 15 inches ; while, in 

 larger waters, such as lakes and ponds, with good and plentiful food, they 

 occasionally reach a weight of 18| to 25 pounds. They can easily be 

 fed with insects, small fish, &c. A beginning has even made on the 

 the sandy plains near Berlin, to dig artificial springs, in which trout are 

 raised and fed. In our alpine regions, where nearly every village has a 

 superabundance of fresh springs and brooks, much larger gains might 

 be realized in a short time by imitating this example. 



The brook-trout go up the stream for the purpose of spawning, but 



only for short distances, and make the most astonishing leaps over weirs 



and small water-falls j in winter, they go to the deeper waters, in ord«er 



not to be overtaken by the ice in the small streams. 

 3d F 



