133 



%/HARR. 



Characters of the Sub-generic Group Salvelini.— "Teeth on the head of the vomer only from the earliest age of the 

 individuals." — Gunther. 



THE British fresh-water species of fishes which belong to this sub-generic group, comprise 

 the Charrs, the Smelt, the Pollan, Gwyniad, Vendace {Corcgonus), and the Grayling. 

 The three species of the genus Corcgojiiis, however, are destitute of teeth on the vomer, and 

 indeed of any teeth at all. Commercially, this sub-generic group is, comparatively speaking, 

 of little importance; for the Charr are very local, and being inhabitants of deep water, excepting 

 at the spawning season, when they approach the shores of the lakes inhabited by them— at 

 which time they are now protected by the Salmon Fisheries Laws — they are difficult to cap- 

 ture; the Pollan is caught in considerable numbers in Lough Neagh during the spring and 

 summer months, and sent to the markets of Liverpool and other large towns. The Gwyniad 

 and Vendace are known only to a few, and the Grayling is food only for the angler. The 

 Smelt, however, is an exception, and large quantities of this delicate and delicious fish find 

 their way into the markets of all our towns. 



Of this group, the Charrs come nearest, both in form and habits, to the non-migratory 

 Salmoms. Often beautiful in colouration, and always elegant in shape, the Charrs at once 

 attract the attention and admiration of the beholder. 



Much obscurity has hung over the history of these fish, and little was known of either 

 their habits or of the different species which occur in the lakes of Great Britain and Ireland, 

 until Dr. Gunther set himself to work out the problem. In a series of valuable papers pub- 

 lished in the years 1862, 1863, and 1865, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of Loudon, 

 Dr. Gunther has contributed a great deal to our knowledge of the British Charrs. From his 

 investigations it appears that there are at least six different species found in the lakes of this 

 country. All these species I have been fortunate enough either to examine or to get posses- 

 sion of I have also had the pleasure of seeing many living specimens of the Charr of Win- 

 dermere, swimming about in the large tanks, belonging to Mr. John Parnaby, at Troutdale, 

 near Keswick, and the opportunity of handling and taking notes of these fish. I have received 

 specimens, in a beautiful condition and perfectly fresh state, of the two Irish species, the Salmo 

 coin from Lough Eske— thanks to the kindness of Mr. T. Brooke, Mr. Arthur R. Wallace, and 

 Mr. Alex. Scott— and the 5. grayi from Lough Melvin. 



From the secluded habits of the Charr, which frequent the deepest parts of the waters 

 inhabited by them, it is no wonder, perhaps, that little was for a long time known of them 

 Willughby is the first naturalist who has given an account of Charr. The Llanberris Charr, 



