igii- Reviews. 187 



OUR FRESHWATER FISHES. 



The Freshwater Fishes of the British Isles. By C. Tate Regan, M.A. 

 London: Methucn and Co., Ltd., 191 1. Price 6i-. 



It is a long time since Yarrell's and Day's " Fishes of the British Islands " 

 were published, and they still are our standard works. Some years ago 

 it was rumoured that Mr. Holt was preparing a new book on this subject. 

 Meanwhile our wants have at any rate been satisfied to some extent by 

 the issue of Mr. Regan's work on the Freshwater Fishes of the British 

 Islands, and it is to be hoped that he may be induced to undertake the 

 British marine fishes as a complement to the present volume. 



Mr. Regan's book claims to be a popular account of the fishes of our 

 lakes and rivers. It is meant for those who desire reliable information 

 as to our freshwater fishes, their specific characters, geographical distribu- 

 tion and life history. 



Although it is doubtful whether the average angler will be able to 

 discriminate for example between the different kinds of Irish Char 

 recognised as distinct species by Mr. Regan, while he will readily point 

 out the distinguishing features between different kinds of Trout which 

 are all clumped together as one species by the author, yet the book on 

 the whole is what it claims to be. It is well illustrated, all the species 

 being figured. 



As might be expected, the Salmon and Trout are given a fair share 

 of consideration. Although most fishermen would never hesitate for a 

 moment as to their ability of distinguishing a Salmon from a Trout, it is 

 surprising how few of them really know the difference between these 

 species at all ages. Mr. Regan discusses this point very carefully, 

 drawing attention to all the characters in which they differ, viz., the 

 rays in the dorsal fin, the number of scales between the lateral lines, 

 the adipose fin, and also the shape of the tail. It has been ascertained 

 now that a Salmon rarely lives more than eight or nine years, or spawns 

 more than three or four times. The age of the fish can be determined 

 by a detailed study of its scales, new tissue being added to the latter in 

 the form of a series of concentric ridges which somewhat resemble the 

 rings of growth in the stem of a tree. When the Salmon repairs to 

 fresh water, the scales cease to grow, their edges becoming worn and 

 irregular. The fish thus has its life history clearly recorded on its own 

 body, for those who arc able to read it. Mr. Regan shows that it is not 

 an absolute necessity for the Salmon to go to sea at all. It may even 

 become mature in the parr stage, while female Salmon have been known to 

 produce ripe spawn when little more than overgrown smolts. 



Of particular interest to the angler is the vexed question whether the 

 Salmon feeds in the river as it ascends from the sea. The practical 

 fisherman settled the question at once by the remark, " Of course it 

 does, otherwise it would not take the fly." All the same it can be 

 regarded as certain that the Salmon does not feed in fresh water. From 

 the time it enters the river its weight gradually decreases, and the stomach 

 has been shown to be always empty. 



