BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 379 



SKETCH OF Till. SCIIOODIC SALMON-BREEDING ESTABLISH 



HIE NT. 



By CHARLES O. ATKINS. 



[Written by request of Prof. S. F. Baird, for the London Exhibition, 1883.] 



The salmon of the Schoodic lakes belongs to the group termed 

 "land-locked" salmon, whose distinguishing trait is the absence of 

 the habit of migrating to the sea. It has been regarded by naturalists 

 until recently as a distinct species from the sea-going salmon (Salmo 

 salar), but the most recent researches of American ichthyologists have 

 led to the conclusion that there are no specific differences between the 

 two. But whatever the verdict of systematic ichthyology, the marked 

 difference between them in habits and growth must, from the fish- 

 culturist's point of view, separate them as widely as any two species of 

 the salmon family. 



Doubtless the absence of the migratory instinct is at the bottom of 

 most of the variations from the normal type of Salmo salar which the 

 land-locked salmon exhibits. The lakes afford a far poorer feeding 

 ground than the sea ; hence, perhaps the diminutive size and leaner 

 flesh of the land-locked salmon. Its lower tone of color, less perma- 

 nent sexual marks, and greater liability to ovarian disease, as well as 

 different habits of feeding, may perhaps be referable to the same gen- 

 eral cause. There are some other peculiarities which are not so easily 

 explained. For instance, the eggs of the land-locked salmon are very 

 considerably larger than those of the sea salmon, and the same is true 

 of the very young fry. 



My observations on the young of the Sebago land-locked salmon 

 lead me to think that their growth is more rapid than that of the anadro- 

 mous salmon, for, among other things, I have seen specimens more than 

 a foot long still bearing plainly on their sides dark, transverse bands 

 characteristic of young salmon. But this may be explained in another 

 way. It may be that the land-locked fish simply retain the marks of 

 the immature stages to a later period of life. This view is supported 

 by another fact that I have observed, namely, that the dark bands are 

 never completely obliterated from the sides of the land-locked salmon, 

 being always very distinct, even in adult specimens, on the under side 

 of the skin, a phenomenon which I have sought for in vain among the 

 migratory salmon. 



The land-locked salmon, though smaller and leaner than his anadro- 

 mous brother, is yet not a poor fish. His flesh is fat and rich and of a 

 more delicate flavor. In game qualities he is, for his size, quite the 

 peer of the larger salmon and affords keen sport to the fly fisherman. 



