219 



BLUE POLL. 



AVHITLING. HERLING. PHINOCK. BLUE COCKS? 



Salmo alhus, Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 180. 



«• " Jardine; Edinburgli New Phil. Journal, 1835. 



Much difference of opinion has existed as regards this fish, 

 as of so many others of this tribe; for while some eminent 

 writers have viewed it as only an early or intermediate stage of 

 some other species of this family, and of the Salmon in particular, 

 other observers of no less authority have expressed their belief 

 that however the name may be applied there is a distinct species 

 to which it should pre-eminently belong. The mistakes which 

 have been caused by these contradictions have sometimes led to 

 the error of applying the habits of some of these fishes to the 

 natural history of others, and a further result not unfrequently 

 has been, that unjust and oppressive legislation has been brought 

 into action. This has especially been the case as regards the 

 fish now under consideration, as well as also that which we have 

 already described under the name of Peal; but although in the 

 earlier stages of their existence these fishes are not readily 

 distinguished from others of the Salmon tribe, nor any of the 

 migratory species from each other, yet when they have reached 

 maturity there are characters to be discerned by which with 

 little difficulty they may be definitely known; and measured by 

 these we have no hesitation in expressing the persuasion that 

 the Blue Poll, or Phinock, is distinct from every other. 



Willoughby has remarked, page 192, that sometimes under 

 the influence of a strong north-east wind there comes from the 

 north to our rivers an unrecognised kind of Salmon, called by 

 fishermen the Blue Cap, from a broad ])atch of blue on its 

 head; and he further says that the sight of a single one of 



