124 LOCHLEVEN TROUT. 



which they have brought forward in support of this conclusion, we feel no hesitation in 

 adopting- their decision ; and so much the rather as it is shown that there are abundance of 

 the ordinary Trout In the same waters, exposed to the same influences, but from which the 

 species above mentioned is readily to be distinguished." 



The Lochleven Trout, so long justly celebrated, are stated by Dr. Parnell to have fallen 

 off in their general flavour and condition, owing, it is said, to the partial draining of the loch 

 having destroyed their best feeding ground, by exposing the beds of fresh-water shells, which form 

 the greater portion of their food. Parnell's prize essay was published in 1837; so his remarks 

 may not be applicable now as to the condition of the Trout. Some years ago Lochleven 

 Trout occasionally found their way into the markets and fish-shops of our large towns ; but 

 this is not the case now. Accounts of the results of fly-fishing in Lochleven frequently 

 appear in the pages of Tlie Field and Land and Water, the well-known weekly periodicals, 

 and it appears that considerable numbers of Trout are taken with the fly ; but as the 

 Common Trout is also found in this lake, one cannot learn what proportion the Lochleven 

 species forms of these captures. The Trout-fishing on this loch is, I believe, now reserved 

 for anglers, and netting is not allowed ; consequently none of these fish find their way into 

 the English markets. 



According to Dr. Parnell they spawn in January, February, and March. The flesh is 

 said to be of a deep red in colour, and so far as I remember they are excellent in flavour ; 

 but I have not tasted a Lochleven Trout for many years. I believe it is a lively fish, and 

 gives excellent sport. 



The following are the principal points in which this species differs from 5. fario : — -The 

 caecal appendages are more numerous, varying from sixty to eighty in number; the body is 

 much less stout than in fario, and the hinder part of the body is more tapering ; the 

 maxillary is much narrower and more feeble than in the Common Trout (see woodcut on 

 page 81); the pectoral fins are more pointed; the caudal is more deeply incised, and has 

 the lobes more pointed than in specimens of the same size of fario. There is difference 

 in colour: in levenensis the upper parts are generally olive-green, and the sides, both above 

 and below the lateral line, are marked with a great number of dark spots, some of which 

 are round, and many X or XX-shaped ; there are no red spots, which in fario are general 

 and numerous ; the adipose fin has a few brown spots, and is never tipped with red : 

 according to my observations, in the Common Trout this red tip is universal. Mr. Francis 

 Day, who, as is well known, is engaged on an important work on the Fishes of India, has 

 kindly sent me a reprint from the Linnean Society's Journal (vol. xii.) of his paper on "The 

 Introduction of Trout and Tench into India." He says that it may be assumed that the 

 5. levenensis and the Tench have bred in the rivers and tanks on the Neilgherry Hills, in 

 the Presidency of Madras, and thinks that this may eventually prove a success. Specimens 

 of Lochleven Trout, received from Mr. H. S. Thomas, of the Madras Civil Service, by Mr. 

 Day, showed bright red spots on the body. Mr. Day remarks very truly "that the colour 

 of the water, and the soil through which streams flow, exercise great influence on the colours 

 of fishes. The spots alluded to are now black ; this is probably due to the fish having been 

 bred in a clear mountain stream, but the result in this instance is most interesting." 



This is a non-migratory species, inhabiting Lochleven and other Scottish lakes ; also 

 occurring in Windermere, and possibly in other north of England lakes. 



The fin rays are 



Dorsal 12 — 13. 

 Pectoral i+. 

 Ventral 9. 

 Anal 1 1 . 



Specimens sometimes attain to the length of twentN- inches. 



